Press Releases: Southern California
June 24, 2009
Kaiser Permanente's Los Angeles Medical Center Kicks Off Farmers Market at Barnsdall Art Park
Farmers Market will be opened every Wednesday throughout the year, noon-6 p.m., rain or shine
LOS ANGELES – When there's great food at stake, the choice is never easy, but when it comes to the place to go for delicious, seasonal fruits and vegetables in East Hollywood, the choice is clear — announcing the Los Angeles Medical Center Farmers Market at Barnsdall Art Park.
In a unique partnership with the City of Los Angeles' Barnsdall Art Park and the Model Neighborhood Program, LAMC is sponsoring a weekly farmers market for the Los Feliz, Griffith Park, Silverlake and greater Hollywood community. The market is located in the Barnsdall Art Park parking lot at 4800 Hollywood Blvd. (between Edgemont Avenue and Vermont Avenue) and is open from noon-6 p.m. every Wednesday. The market officially opens today at noon with a grand opening celebration including health screenings, face painting booth and musical entertainment.
The LAMC Farmers Market features approximately 20 farmers selling freshly picked, California-grown produce, fresh cut flowers, herbs and spices, seafood and cured meats in addition to 10 prepared-food booths. Nutrition and fitness instructions, as well as basic health screenings and information, will be available on a rotating basis. "We take our role as a health care provider in this community to heart. This Farmers Market is an ideal way to provide the community with healthier food options and information about leading a healthy lifestyle," said Mark Costa, LAMC executive director.
The Los Angeles Medical Center joins a range of other Kaiser Permanente medical centers in California to sponsor local farmers markets in an effort to strengthen and improve the health of its members, staff, and local community by increasing their access to fresh produce. "We expect to have a positive impact on the long-term health goals of our employees, members, and the community we serve," said Judy North, medical group administrator, LAMC.
Encouraging healthy eating and active living is at the heart of Kaiser Permanente's mission as a prevention-oriented health care organization. "Kaiser Permanente has long been a champion of preventive medicine. Eating healthful, nourishing foods is prevention at its best," said Dr. Donald Marcus, area medical director. The goal of the LAMC Farmers Market is not only to increase access to healthy foods but to promote the incorporation of healthy food into a healthy lifestyle.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is America's leading integrated health plan. Founded in 1945, it is a nonprofit, group practice prepayment program with Southern California headquarters in Pasadena, California. Kaiser Permanente serves the health care needs of 3.2 million members in Southern California. Today it encompasses the nonprofit Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries, and the for-profit Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Kaiser Permanente's Southern California Region includes more than 49,919 technical, administrative and clerical employees and caregivers, and more than 6,000 physicians representing all specialties. More information about Kaiser Permanente can be found at kaiserpermanente.org.
