By Carlotta Mohamed
To increase health and wellness in the Flushing community and provide opportunities to learn about better nutrition and environmental practices, the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with GrowNYC and Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing), launched the third season of the Flushing Greenmarket last week.
The Flushing Greenmarket at 136-50 Maple Ave. in Flushing will be open every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from July 11 to Nov. 28, providing nutritious fruits, vegetables, and other locally-sourced food products.
“The Flushing Greenmarket is a great opportunity to highlight our community’s plentiful supply of locally grown, fresh and healthy food. Likewise, it’s a perfect example of the ingenuity of our local businesses who came together in order to find an alternative, pedestrian-friendly space to interact safely with patrons,” said Koo.
Only items grown or produced within 250 miles of New York City will be sold. Flushing Greenmarket farmer R&G Produce, for example, will be bringing vegetables they grow in Orange County, less than 80 miles from Flushing.
“By supporting local farmers and entrepreneurs at the Flushing Greenmarket, the chamber hopes to promote sustainable economic development and also provide our community with a rich selection of locally sourced and nutritious food options,” said John Choe, executive director of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce.”
Those interested in selling fruits and vegetables at the Flushing Greenmarket should fill out the application at grown
“We’re very happy to bring fresh, local produce directly to Flushing residents,” said GrowNYC communications specialist Catherine Crawford. “With a market comes the transformation of community space, and we’re thrilled to have a Greenmarket here for the third consecutive year.”
In addition to fruits and vegetables, the Flushing Greenmarket will also host the Department of Health’s popular nutrition education workshops and cooking demonstrations in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Every participant over 18 years of age who attends these workshops will receive a $2 Health Bucks coupon. Health Bucks coupons can be used to purchase food at Flushing Greenmarket.
Food scrap collection is also available every market day until 1 p.m. Collections will be brought back to the Queens Botanical Garden to be turned into rich compost, diverting them from landfills).
Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed by e-mail at cmoha
