Farmers’ Market at Wishard Brings Healthy Choices to Employees

New concept will include local farmers selling fresh fruits, vegetables and plants at hospital
May 19, 2008Contact: Todd Harper Phone: 317-630-7808 Pager: 317-310-5972

Have you ever heard the expression "you are what you eat?" Health experts have stressed for years that what a person eats has a direct impact on one’s health. To promote a healthy lifestyle and to help provide more options for employees wanting to eat healthy natural foods, local farmers will travel to Wishard Health Services starting Tuesday, May 20, to sell fresh fruits, vegetables and plants at a farmers’ market in the courtyard of Wishard Memorial Hospital.

"I'm very excited about this initiative because it's a direct extension of our commitment to the health of our employees as well as our commitment to our community," said Dr. Lisa E. Harris, chief executive officer and medical director for Wishard Health Services. Beginning May 20 and continuing every Tuesday until October 7, local farmers will set up around the perimeter of the Wishard courtyard behind the Bryce Building and will be open for sales from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Some examples of produce that will be featured include tomatoes, strawberries, corn, apples, greens, asparagus, rhubarb and more. Plans also call for some of the fresh produce to be featured in select Wishard Cafeteria dishes.

The Farmers' Market at Wishard is part of the innovative Wishard Wellness program. Wishard Wellness began in 2005 as a way to encourage employees to place wellness and health as a top priority. Since its inception the program has expanded to include Simple Steps to Wellness, where Wishard staff members are rewarded with various health-related prizes for their efforts toward wellness; the Wishard Gardens, a way for employees to get outside and garden during lunchtime and on breaks; and Simply Escape, a mobile spa available for all departments to use to de-stress while at work.

"Wellness is such an important initiative here at Wishard," said Mary Robbins-Nierste, R.N., director of Wishard Wellness. "We're committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle for our patients, guests and staff and the Farmers' Market at Wishard is another way we can do that." While the program's aim it to attract Wishard employees and others on the IU Medical Center campus, all visitors and guests are welcome to stop by and visit the Farmers' Market at Wishard.