Virtua Farmer's Market returns to Camden Campus
Back by popular demand, the Farmer's Market on Virtua's Camden Campus is once again the destination this summer and fall for fresh, locally-grown produce.
Virtua, in partnership with Camden Area Health Education Center, initiated the market last year as a way for city residents to access nature's bounty. The weekly market runs Thursdays through Oct. 29 and features produce, as well as health education, screenings and fun activities for the whole family. Camden Community Connections, a summer youth program operated on the campus, assists in set up and break down each week.
"We offer the market as a way to enable Camden residents to find healthy eating options in an area where access to fresh produce is limited," said
Richard P. Miller, Virtua President and CEO. "The market was a rousing success last year; the community, employees and tenants of Virtua Camden have been looking forward to the arrival of opening day."
The Farmer's Market runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Virtua's Camden campus at Mount Ephraim and Atlantic avenues. Each Thursday, Virtua also offers free health education and screenings, including blood pressure or diabetes screenings.
"Every week we provide community access to a dietician for information about a healthy diet," said Joan Gray, Ambulatory Services Director at Virtua Camden. "Other examples of health offerings include blood sugar monitoring or blood pressure checks. The market helps everyone eat and cook healthier."
Additional educational activities like cooking classes, grilling lessons and sun safety sessions will be offered. The market accepts WIC Family First cards and senior vouchers.
As one of New Jersey’s largest health systems, Virtua helps people be well, get well and stay well through a comprehensive range of health care services. Services are delivered through three health and wellness centers, three fitness centers, four acute care hospitals, primary and specialty physician practices with more than 240 physicians, urgent care centers, seven ambulatory surgery centers, home health services, two long-term care and rehabilitation centers, 12 paramedic units and a wide range of outpatient services. A leader in maternal and child health services, Virtua delivers almost 8,000 babies a year. Virtua also provides employment and wellness services to 1,700 businesses and corporations. An innovator in clinical and information technology such as electronic medical records, Virtua is recognized for its ground-breaking partnerships with
GE Healthcare,
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the
Fox Chase Cancer Center. It is the official orthopedic provider for the
Philadelphia Flyers. Virtua employs more than 8,400 people and has been honored as the #1 Best Place to Work in the Delaware Valley for seven consecutive years. It is the recipient of the Consumer Choice Award from the National Research Corporation. For more information, visit
www.virtua.org or
www.virtuabroadcastnetwork.org.