Chicago, IL - The PCC Austin Produce Market is open for only one more week, bringing fresh and delicious produce into West Side Chicago for even tastier prices. PCC Community Wellness Center’s AmeriCorps Healthy Lifestyle Team will host the market on Saturday, July 30th from 9:00am to 12:00pm. This is located in the parking lot of the PCC Austin Family Health Center, 5425 West Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois 60644.
Almost all of the produce is grown and delivered from Nichols Farm located just outside the Chicago city limits. The market offers a variety of fruits and vegetables, including onions by the bundle and green beans by the basket. No item costs more than $1.50, and each purchase comes with informational flyers containing nutritional facts and recipes.
“For those who like to play with their food, spices are on display, such as paprika and curry, that demonstrate a healthy alternative to salt,” says AmeriCorps Member Simon Swartzman. Broccoli, lettuce, zucchini, turnips, garlic, and Swiss chard are among the other produce sold.
A trip to the market is fun for the entire family. This Saturday, July 30th, PCC AmeriCorps Member, Molly Collins, will disperse pedometers to anyone interested in learning more about the benefits and challenges of walking, and setting a personal healthy goal. The AmeriCorps Health Lifestyle team will also provide nutritional education, including the new MyPlate model for a healthy diet, which is just a preview of the FREE nutrition education offered to PCC patients on a daily basis. Heart-healthy freebies will also be available; including an Earthbound Farm Word Search, and complimentary cookbooks for the whole family to enjoy.
Frances Carter, an AmeriCorps and Austin community member, visited the market on a mission for Swiss chard. When asked what personal barriers she faces in finding produce in the community Frances stated, “it’s difficult to find produce that looks good, this LOOKS good!” There is a food desert that surrounds PCC’s Austin Family Health Center that limits the patient population’s access to fresh produce, thereby exacerbating health disparities related to hypertension, diabetes, and other obesity-related chronic diseases in the community. PCC strives to eliminate this barrier, and the produce market does just that.
PCC Community Wellness Center is a not-for-profit community health center network with ten health centers dedicated to providing comprehensive high-quality, accessible primary health care, preventive education and supportive services, specializing in the delivery of comprehensive maternal and child health services. For more information about PCC sites and services, please see our website at www.pccwellness.org.
To learn more about the Austin Produce Market, please contact Lucy Flores at (708) 383-0113 ext. 7685. For more information about this topic or to schedule an interview, please contact Toni Bush at (708) 524-7687 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
