Five New Bedford Neighborhood Markets Pledge to Offer Healthy Food and Drink Options

Mass in Motion New Bedford announced today that it will join with local neighborhood markets in the city to launch a new program of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) designed to improve access to healthy eating. The “Healthy Market Initiative,” is an MDPH program that encourages and supports local neighborhood market and convenience store owners to make healthy food and drink options available to customers and to meet Healthy Market recommendations.

Officials will launch the Healthy Market initiative in New Bedford on Monday, February 24, 2014 at 12 noon at The Butcher Shop, located at 123 Dartmouth Street. Mayor Jon Mitchell will recognize each of the five New Bedford markets that have already signed on and committed to stocking healthy and affordable food items for their customers. These include: Amaral’s Fish Market, DeMello’s Market, Giammalvo’s Market, The Butcher Shop, and Xavier’s Market. Healthy Market items will be showcased and reusable shopping “goodie bags” will be available.

Mass in Motion New Bedford will work with local store owners to make healthy food and drink options available and help them meet Healthy Market recommendations (e.g. offering whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy items). Participation is easy, and in many cases, stores simply have to reorganize and more prominently feature healthy foods they already carry. By promoting healthy options, the local markets are making healthy choices easier for customers in New Bedford.

Healthy Market initiative participants will receive a window decal, informational materials for customers, recognition on the Mass in Motion New Bedford website and Facebook as well as other promotional/incentive items. Stores may also receive assistance in obtaining fresh fruits and vegetables, requesting healthier products from distributors, and accessing small business funding and services.