Hospital Launching 2nd Season Of Farmers’ Markets

DERBY — Beginning July 11, Griffin Hospital’s employees, physicians, and volunteers — as well as its patients and visitors — will once again be able to enjoy the freshness and convenience of buying locally grown produce right at the hospital’s front door.

The on-site farmers’ market is just one of many health-related programs that are sponsored by the hospital’s worksite wellness program, WINFIT (Wellness Initiatives For Improved Tomorrows).

The success of last year’s endeavor prompted the hospital to once again play host to the farmers’ market, which will be held every Friday from 2 to 6 pm in the portico just outside of the hospital’s main entrance through October 24.

“The goal of Griffin’s worksite wellness program is to create an environment that makes the healthy choice the easy choice,” according to Beth Comerford, deputy director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, who works with the hospital to develop various initiatives for the wellness program. “We had a great deal of positive feedback on the farmers’ market last year, and we are excited about bringing back the market for members of the Griffin family as well as the local community.”

The farmers market also provides an opportunity to support the local economy, with Stone Gardens Farm of Shelton providing a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. In addition to providing locally grown fruits and vegetables, the WINFIT committee will also have weekly recipes available at the market and is planning weekly demonstrations and tasting in the hospital’s cafeteria.

Everyone is welcome to attend the weekly farmers’ markets at Griffin Hospital.

For additional information, contact Ms Comerford at 203-732-1265.