Farmers Market Opens on Campus
| Employees and students don’t have to go far to pick up fresh fruit and vegetables now that UAMS is sponsoring a Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Tuesday.
Chancellor Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, tours the Farmers Market on May 19.
Located outside of the Hospital Lobby Gallery before you enter PRI, the Farmers Market has been on the wish list of the Get Healthy UAMS committee for a couple of years, said Natalie Cannady, chief wellness officer.
“The committee identified a Farmers Market as something that would provide a great benefit to the health and well-being of Team UAMS,” Cannady said, adding that Tonya Johnson, executive director of nutrition, was instrumental in realizing the market. “I’m glad we’ve been able to make this happen.”
The Farmers Market gives employees and students a convenient way to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.
The market will operate from May to September.
As a pandemic safety precaution, only one vendor is approved to sell at the market, Cannady said, adding the vendor buys all of his produce from Arkansas farmers. Shoppers are also instructed to avoid touching the produce, instead placing their order with the market staff and allowing them to bag it up. Social distancing measures are also in place to avoid overcrowding.
“These precautions are designed to give our students and employees the safest shopping experience we can provide,” Cannady said.
The response to the first two weeks of the market has been very positive, Cannady said.