The market, located at 400 E. Gray St. between the Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and the University of Louisville’s School of Public Health and Information Sciences (SPHIS), opens May 15. SPHIS staff manage the market each Thursday rain or shine from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. through October. Local vendors sell lunch options, fruits, vegetables, honey, jams, baked items, flowers, vegetable plants and more.
“The farmers market is strategic for our school as we seek to create conditions for people to make healthy choices,” said Craig Blakely, PhD, dean, UofL School of Public Health and Information Sciences.
“Reducing obesity and chronic disease are shared community goals for improving the health of our city by 2020,” said Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, director, Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness. “Farmers markets are great ways to bring fresh, healthy foods into our neighborhoods. Making sure our markets accept SNAP, WIC and EBT makes them affordable and accessible to everyone.”
The Gray St. farmers market offers healthy food in an area that is home to a number of residents with limited food choices. Numerous downtown workers take advantage of shopping during their lunch breaks. Several employers, recognizing the benefits of healthy eating, provide incentives to their employees who are part of their workplace wellness programs. Shoppers can pay with cash, debit cards or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
Organizers plan to continue the 20/20 Talks the second Thursday of each month. These free 20-minute sessions give market goers an opportunity to learn from experts on a variety of topics ranging from healthy cooking to sustainability.
Parking for the market is available on Chestnut, Preston and Jackson streets in addition to the Chestnut St. garage.
A map of farmers markets in the Louisville area can be found here.