The Produce Cart opens for business on June 21 to give members of the university community in and around the Health System a convenient option to buy fresh, locally-grown produce. The Produce Cart is open Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. through mid October and is located on the south end of the Taubman Health Center level 2, near the Go Brew coffee kiosk.
“Our faculty and staff community has asked for healthy food options, and we’ve listened,” says Tony Denton, Executive Director of University Hospitals and Chief Operating Officer of UMHHC. “The Produce Cart will have fresh-from-the-farm fruits and vegetables for sale every week. I invite everyone to stop by.”
“The consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables helps to reduce the risk of some chronic diseases. Most produce is naturally low in fat, calories and sodium, but rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber,” says Joyce Kerestes, Director of Patient Food and Nutrition Services.
The Produce Cart is a partnership between MHealthy, UMHS and food vendor Aramark. In addition to produce, there will also be healthy recipes specific to the available bounty and the first 500 shoppers will receive a complimentary reusable shopping bag with purchase. In addition, the UH café will have a featured menu item to highlight the produce being offered that day.
“We’re excited to offer our colleagues this option and we expect things to go quickly,” says Erica Wald, Manager of Nutrition and Weight Management Services for MHealthy. “The cart is scheduled to be open until 1 p.m., but once the produce is gone, it’s gone. So be sure to shop early.”
More information about the Produce Cart is available at http://www.hr.umich.edu/mhealthy/programs/nutrition/goodchoice/produce-cart.html.
See below for a short video about the Produce Cart.
