News Story

College of Public Health co-sponsors downtown farmers' market

Posted 07/28/2009

The College of Public Health is again partnering with Columbus Public Health and the Ohio Department of Agriculture to offer a summertime farmers' market in downtown Columbus. The market will be held from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. on July 30, Aug. 6, and Aug. 13, on the front lawn of Columbus Public Health, 240 Parsons Ave. (A ribbon-cutting ceremony and presentation will take place at 9:45 a.m. on July 30.)

Local farmers will offer fresh fruits and vegetables, providing nutritious food options to Columbus' downtown and East Side residents, areas known for having limited access to grocery stores.

Vendors will accept food stamps, and customers who wish to participate in the food-stamp program should bring their ID and Ohio Direction Card, which can be used like a debit card to purchase tokens at a special booth at the market. Tokens can be spent like cash and can be used during all three market days.

Vendors also welcome WIC participants, who should bring their WIC ID cards in order to pick up vouchers. The WIC program is intended for low-income, pregnant women; breastfeeding women; and infants and children under the age of five.

The market is funded in part by a grant from Women & Philanthropy at The Ohio State University Foundation. The charity organization backed the College of Public Health to support healthy lifestyles, especially among women and children.

 

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The Ohio State University's College Public Health is an integral part of the most comprehensive health sciences campus in the nation. The college was created in February 2007 by the University Board of Trustees. First established in 1995 as part of the College of Medicine, we are the first and only accredited school of public health in the state of Ohio. Specializations within the college include biostatistics, epidemiology, health behavior and health promotion, environmental health sciences, health services management and policy, veterinary public health and clinical investigations. The college is currently ranked 21st in public health graduate schools by US News & World Report. Its Master of Health Administration program is ranked 12th.