The Cleveland Clinic is all set to launch its campaign to promote healthy eating by starting regional farmers markets, including one at its Strongsville facility.
Starting July 14, the Strongsville Family Health and Surgery Center at 16761 Southpark Center will host a farmers market from 10am to 1pm every Thursday through September 29.
Chris Saal of Walnut Drive Gardens in Mogodore, the 240-acre farm that will supply the weekly market, suggests that visitors look for farm-fresh blueberries, raspberries, corn, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, onions and beans the first week.
He said, “Eventually, we’ll have six kinds of peppers, watermelon, cabbage, eggplant and cantaloupe when they come in.”
According to Jim Newman, administrator of the Strongsville facility, the Cleveland Clinic aims to provide locally produced food to the region, as currently only 1 percent of the $10 billion spent annually on food in Northeast Ohio is locally produced.
“Most of our food travels 1,500 miles to get to our plate,” he said.
The Clinic is well known for actively promoting a healthy lifestyle through its Wellness Institute.
Michael F. Roizen, M.D., Chief Wellness Officer at Cleveland Clinic said, “The single largest risk factor for premature death in Cuyahoga County is a lack of fruits and vegetables in the diet.”
The market will not only benefit local producers, but also encourage residents to eat better.
