For Bronxites wanting to live healthier lives and have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, Hostos Community College officially launched the Hostos Greenmarket on Tuesday, a new farmers market in the Bronx and the first major one to open at the school.
The market features fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, herbs, eggs, honey, candles and baked goods from five farmers and producers in upstate New York. In addition, the market will offer food scrap collection for composting each market day.
“Hostos recognizes its responsibility to be a leader in educating our community about healthy eating, as well as providing healthy eating alternatives. We are confident the Hostos Greenmarket will be a huge success for the College and South Bronx residents,” Hostos Community College President David Gómez said in a statement.
The farmers market was launched in partnership with GrowNYC—which aims to ensure New Yorkers across all five boroughs have access to fresh, healthy, locally grown food—and is also meant to support Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz’s #Not62 plan for a healthier Bronx. A hashtag initiative he started in response to the Borough being ranked last among the 62 counties in New York in a national health report.
“Farmers markets are a perfect way to preserve regional farmland and encourage friendly growing methods, while also making healthy foods available to the public. This new greenmarket is a great addition to our #Not62 campaign for a healthier Bronx, and I am proud to be a part of this launch,” Diaz said in a prepared statement.