WOONSOCKET – Thundermist Health Center received an $84,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers Promotion Program to open a winter farmer’s market.
The center, at 450 Clinton St., piloted a winter market for a few months last year.
Because it was so well-received, Thundermist applied for the USDA grant, according to Marlene Roberti, associate vice president, development and communications, Thundermist Health Center.
The market will operate from 3 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday through May, starting Nov. 25. Each week, seven to 10 farms will be represented. A cooking demonstration also will be held this coming week, Roberti said.
A ceremony celebrating the opening will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 25 at the center. U.S. Rep. David N. Cicilline is expected to attend and tour the market.
According to information from Thundermist, the grant, one of only three such awards to community health centers in the country, will increase year-round access to local, healthy food for Woonsocket residents.
“Lack of access to healthy foods is a significant contributor to health conditions facing Woonsocket residents such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Woonsocket is designated a ‘food desert’ by the USDA due the extreme shortage of grocery stores. The program presents a unique partnership between a community health center (Thundermist), private small businesses (farmers) and nonprofits (Farm Fresh Rhode Island and local organizations) working together to … address one of the most pressing needs in the community,” according to a Thundermist press release.