Saint Joseph Mercy Health System donates $50,000 to Eastern Market to support food access programs

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Laura Blodgett

734-712-4536

Laura.Blodgett@stjoeshealth.org

September 13, 2018

DETROIT – (September 12, 2018) – Eastern Market Corporation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, announces that Saint Joseph Mercy Health System has donated $50,000 to support local food access and wellness programs to low-income communities, including the Fresh Prescription program, aimed at improving overall community health.

A portion of the gift will support Fresh Prescription - a fruit and vegetable prescription program created in partnership with Eastern Market Corporation, the Ecology Center, and CHASS Southwest Health Center.

As part of its mission to create a healthier, wealthier, happier Detroit, Eastern Market works closely with health care providers and local farmers to foster programs that expand access to fresh, locally-grown produce for City of Detroit and Southeast Michigan residents, while providing direct economic benefits to community farmers

With Fresh Prescription patients diagnosed with chronic disease, or at risk of chronic disease, are referred to the Fresh

Prescription program by their primary care physician at participating clinics. A clinician meets with participants to discuss healthy eating practices, and provides participants a prescription to “eat more fruits and vegetables” and sets goals for healthy eating. Patients are able to "fill their prescription” at six participating farm stands or markets and are able to purchase produce with free vouchers, virtually no cost to participants. Since the program’s inception in 2012, Eastern Market has successfully grown participation in Fresh Prescription year over year.

Saint Joseph Mercy Health System’s most recent donation will also continue funding for three Eastern Market Farm Stands – St. Mary Mercy Livonia, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland and Samaritan Center in Detroit. The Livonia and Oakland stands are open to the public and held every Friday in the hospitals' lobbies; Samaritan Center hosts its Farm Stand on Wednesdays. Eastern Market is piloting a longer season at St Joseph Mercy Oakland with service from May through December, which adds four months to the regular season and provides fresh food access to the Pontiac community at large.

A portion of the gift will also be allocated to Eastern Market’s Tuesday Health and Wellness Market in which free yoga and Zumba classes are offered to the community along with cooking demonstrations.

“Saint Joseph Mercy Health System wants to help metro Detroiters in their journey to health and wellness, and that means having easy access to fresh, healthy food," said Dave Spivey, president & CEO St. Mary Mercy Livonia and vice president, Community Health & Well-being, Michigan. "We want to continue to lend support to Eastern Market for its programs that provide nourishment to community residents and their families across Detroit, as well as enable local farmers to bring their produce into our hospitals in Livonia and Pontiac to reach patients, staff and visitors.”

“This generous gift from St. Joseph Mercy Health System provides vital funding for Eastern Market to advance our mission toward creating a healthier, wealthier, happier Detroit,” said Dan Carmody, President, Eastern Market Corporation. “This donation will directly impact the health of Metro Detroiters - stocking their kitchens with the building blocks of wellness – fresh food.”

2018 marks the fifth consecutive year Saint Joseph Mercy Health System and Eastern Market have collaborated to help bring fresh produce to the community. Saint Joseph Mercy Health System has contributed a total of $250,000 since 2014.

About Eastern Market Corporation

Eastern Market Corporation (EMC) is the nonprofit that manages Eastern Market on behalf of the City of Detroit. Its vision is to create the most inclusive, resilient, and robust regional food hub in the United States and to ensure that Eastern Market nourishes Detroit — from food to art and commerce to culture. For more information, call 313.833.9300, visit our website at Easternmarket.org and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

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