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 Once again the indoor, producer-only farmers
market will be held Saturdays from 8am – 12pm in the Expo Building
at the Logan County Fairgrounds in Lincoln, Illinois. The second
season will run May 13 through September 30. There is no admission
fee.
The ALMH Market extends the local hospital’s mission outside its
four walls by increasing access to fruits and vegetables. A ribbon
cutting with the Lincoln/Logan Chamber of Commerce and a ceremonial
ringing of the opening bell will take place promptly at 8am on
Saturday, May 13.
Many vendors are returning for the second season but this year The
Market will feature five additional vendors with items including
eggs, honey, pasta and artisan breads. As a producer-only market,
The ALMH Market only features vendors that grow or make their own
items. But this year, local entrepreneurs who may not qualify for
the producer-only market will have an opportunity to feature their
products at a feature booth called, “Local Roots”. Also new to the
market this year, expanded permanent seating for those who want to
meet at The Market for breakfast and a new toddler area featuring a
farmers market experience all their own.
Many free activities will be available on opening day from 8am-12pm.
Children of all ages will enjoy inflatable fun and face painting to
help celebrate The Market’s grand opening. The POP (Power of
Produce) Club, available for children ages 5-12 years old, offers a
weekly free activity to empower kids to make healthy food choices
and introduce them to the local food system. Children who complete
the activity earn $2 market tokens to spend on produce at The
Market.
ALMH will also kick-off their Know Your Numbers
campaign on opening day. The free health screenings are sponsored by
the ALMH Auxiliary and take place from 8am – 12pm. Participants 10
and up can obtain free lipid profiles, blood sugar, blood pressure,
and BMI screenings.
For the best results, participants should fast 8
hours prior to the screening. Free screenings will continue the
second Saturday of each month during the season. The ALMH Market is
also hosting a blood drive with a visit from the Central Illinois
Community Blood Center bloodmobile from 8am to 12pm.
At 9am, the first of free weekly fitness activities will begin with
Janell Wollard teaching Zumba.
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Several activities will take place at 10am including a live
cooking demonstration entitled and “Chopped Skills”, a demonstration of the ALMH
blender bike providing smoothie samplings. Live music by Deuxieme will take
place from 10am to 12pm.
“We take pride that The ALMH Market is a wellness destination like no other in
Illinois,” said Angela Stoltzenburg, ALMH marketing and community partnerships
director. “The Market is an extension of our mission to improve the health of
the people and communities we serve; our aim is to promote fresh food and
healthy living while supporting local farmers and the food-producer economy. If
you liked The Market last year, you will love it this year.”
For those needing transportation to The ALMH Market, the ALMH Foundation is
providing a free bus route on Logan Mason Public Transportation each Saturday.
For more information about the route, call LMPT at 1-866-930-8212. Anyone who
uses the bus on opening day will receive a free Market shopping bag.
The ALMH Market will once again provide a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) matching program. Individuals who have SNAP benefits on an
Illinois Link Care can visit The ALMH Market booth to match the first $10 of
their SNAP benefits. The matching program is funded by the ALMH Foundation.
For more information about The ALMH Market, visit www.TheALMHMarket.org
[Angela Stoltzenburg, MBA
Marketing and Community Partnerships Manager
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital] |
