For the fourth year, Baptist Health is plowing the way to better health for its employees and community residents by hosting BHealthy Farmers Markets at several of its hospital campuses. In addition, the Baptist Health Foundation purchases goods from the farmers markets through its Give Fresh: The Power of Food Program to provide free seasonal produce to families in low-income communities around the state.

Approximately 20 Arkansas farmers and vendors will be on hand each week until the end of July, offering a variety of locally grown fruits and vegetables, farm-raised beef, regionally harvested honey, homemade baked goods and more.

The markets will be held every Tuesday at Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.; every Wednesday at Baptist Health Medical Center-Conway from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and every Thursday at Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Each location will have one fall farmers market from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 23, 24 and 25, respectively.

The specific hospital campus location of each farmers market is: ground level of the main parking deck in Little Rock; front parking lot in Conway; and near the Rehab and Women’s Center entrance in North Little Rock.

In addition, there will be two mini satellite Baptist Health-sponsored farmers markets at the Promenade Shopping Center in Little Rock – one on Friday, July 6, and another on Friday, Oct. 26, both from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Baptist Health Foundation Give Fresh Mobile Kitchen will be utilized at the farmers markets. The foundation’s chef, Michael Robichaud, will share wholesome recipes and nutritional tips as well as provide cooking demonstrations on how to create healthy meals using the fresh produce. To further promote healthy eating choices, the foundation is sponsoring community gardens in Hensley and Conway.

Through the Give Fresh Program, more than 4,000 boxes or 95,000 pounds of free produce have been given out in Altheimer, Hensley, Little Rock, North Little Rock and Conway neighborhoods identified as low-income or food desert areas. Each year, the program is expected to be offered in additional communities where fresh produce is not easily accessible or affordable to residents.

Baptist Health is a proud supporter of Healthy Active Arkansas – a plan endorsed by the governor and the Arkansas Hospital Association to increase the health of Arkansans through healthy dietary choices and increased physical activity. The farmers markets and Give Fresh: The Power of Food Program are two ways Baptist Health is promoting a healthier Arkansas.