Harvest Home Farmers Market
Harvest Home Farmers Markets, has been in operation since 1992 and was the second fresh air market to open in the Bronx twelve years ago. Maritza Wellington-Owens, President and founder, has been instrumental in developing, maintaining farmer’s markets in the South Bronx despite the belief that low income communities could not support a farmers market. Ms. Owens has also worked with other community organizations in the Bronx to establish farmers markets in order to increase residents access to high quality, locally grown fresh produce. Each year patrons are able to take full advantage of the abundance of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables sold at multiple market sites each week from Wednesday – Sunday from July – November.
Much to the surprise of many, the organization discovered that the Bronx offered a diverse, loyal and strong outlet for farm and consumer products comparable to other locations in New York City. The markets offer an outlet for local vendors to sell their products; provides seasonal employment opportunities to local residents and helps to strengthen neighborhoods by providing a meeting place for community and increased pedestrian traffic in business districts. Each Harvest Home Market is approved to redeem New York State Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) checks issued to participants in the Women, Infants, Children’s (WIC) program, Senior Citizens Meals Programs and now accepting EBT throughout New York City.
With the growing incidence of diabetes, hypertension, cardio-vascular disease and obesity in the Bronx, Harvest Home is reaching out to local health care agencies to come to the markets to provide nutrition education encouraging residents to eat healthier and increase their intake of nutrient and fiber rich fruits and vegetables.