Mount Vernon Fresh Market Kickoff

Last week, Mount Vernon kicked off its first ever Fresh Market produce giveaway. The bi-weekly event is a product of a partnership between the Food Bank of Westchester and The City of Mount Vernon. Despite the rainy weather, residents were able to stay dry under the Park Avenue Bridge overhang while the fresh market served up fruits and vegetables. Over 300 families from across Mount Vernon were able to access these healthy food options, however non-residents were not turned away. Close to 1000 individuals were served and received over 15,000 pounds of fresh produce and vegetables, regardless of their income, means, or household size.

The mission of this program is to ensure that everyone has healthy food options and that nutritious meals are available to anyone regardless of their financial circumstances. This particular program is part of Mayor Thomas’ Healthy Homes Initiative. The drive behind this initiative is simple. Too often, when families have to cut costs to stay within a budget, most often proper nutrition is written off as a luxury that they can’t afford. Fruits and vegetables can be costly and can be hard to stretch into many meals. As one Mount Vernon family, we don’t want anyone in this city having to make that sacrifice. That’s why Mayor Richard Thomas, The Food Bank of Westchester, and The City of Mount Vernon are committed to driving out the need for anyone to have to make such a decision for their family by providing health alternatives and options completely free of charge.

Mount Vernon’ s Fresh Market will be coming back every other Friday and distributing fresh produce from 4 pm to 7 pm in Lot 11 under the Park Avenue Bridge. The next market will be Friday July 28th. The market is open to all Mount Vernon residents! No one will ever be turned away! Please join us and let’s turn Mount Vernon into the City of Healthy Homes. Call or email us with any questions, 914–665–2361 or MayorThomas@cmvny.com.