Events focus on access to affordable, healthy and sustainable food sources
SOMERVILLE – In honor of national Food Day on October 24, the City of Somerville’s Shape Up Somerville program has planned two Mobile Farmers Market parties that celebrate
healthy, affordable food in our community. Partygoers will get the chance to swap recipes, learn about growing their own food, and buy fresh, local, and healthy food from the Mobile Farmers Market at very affordable prices.
The Mobile Market Parties will be held on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 4 to 7 p.m., at 268 Powderhouse Blvd. and on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m., at 530 Mystic Ave. Each party will feature:
• The Mobile Market, where you can buy fresh organic produce at very affordable prices. Further discounts are available for low-income customers. Shoppers of all incomes (higher and lower) are welcome and wanted (the more customers we have, the more the market will thrive)..
• Live music from local entertainers.
• Children’s activities, including face-painting, book giveaways, and the MUSCRAT Art Bus at the Mystic Ave. party.
• A food mapping activity that will help the City better understand our food resources.
• Urban growing activities like harvesting vegetables from crate mini-gardens and workshops on home composting.
• A recipe swap.
• Raffles featuring awesome prizes like Whole Foods gift cards and YUM restaurant discount cards. Partygoers can earn raffle entries for each activity they participate in.
“Access to healthy, affordable, and sustainable food is so critical that every day should be Food Day,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “Healthy, nutritious meals are what fuels our community and food access should always be our priorty whether we’re ensuring our students have access to free breakfasts and lunches in our schools, offering subsidies at Mobile Farmers Market, or raising awareness through special events like Food Day.”
“We hope the Food Day events will inspire more residents to visit Somerville’s Mobile Farmers Market and become more involved with the issue of food access,” said Shape Up Somerville Coordinator Erica Satin-Hernandez. “Through fun events like Food Day, we hope to raise awareness that access to healthy and affordable food is still an issue for some of our neighbors, friends, and family members.”