The Vance County Cooperative Extension is hosting a community event on the eve of Opening Day of the Vance County Regional Farmers Market – perfect timing to learn more about how what we eat and how we move affects our overall health and wellness.

The Food Farmacy, as it’s called, will take place at the farmers market on Friday, May 2 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

It’s a time for the community to come together to learn how food choices and physical activity can have a positive impact on health while addressing some health-related challenges facing the community.

Event organize and community developer Tyler Chisholm joined County Extension Director Dr. Wykia Macon and Extension Agent Michael Ellington on Wednesday’s edition of The Home and Garden Show.

Chisholm said a similar event held in downtown Henderson in 2022 was well received and he’s looking to build on that success at the upcoming event.

Vance County has higher rates of heart disease, diabetes and obesity, Chisholm said, and a goal of The Food Farmacy is to promote broad access to food and also to spotlight exercise and physical activity as important components to overall wellness.

Chisholm said there will be many opportunities for education from a variety of vendors who plan to attend the event, but he also is confident participants will enjoy themselves, too.

Macon agrees. “It’s a time to hang out at the farmers market – time to talk to people about health and wellness,” she said.

Extension staff and others are working to reimagine the farmers market campus as a way to bring more foot traffic to the facility, now in its 10^th year of operation.

It can be a gathering spot for the community, she said, whether it’s visiting the memorial garden filled with native pollinator plants to health and wellness fairs, the farmers market can be “that” place in the community for a variety of events.

And just like gardening, the idea is to start small and grow over time, Ellington said. Sustainability is key, Macon said, so sponsorships are being accepted for the new community garden being installed now.

The garden is taking shape, said Macon. With funds from Triangle North Healthcare Foundation, plans are underway to construct a couple of garden plots that individuals or groups can rent for the year to plant, cultivate and harvest their own vegetables. There are a couple of volunteer work days coming up, too, if you’d like to help.

Visit https://go.ncsu.edu/vcrfmgarden to learn more and sign up.

But the community garden is the first step, she said.

There’s room to grow, she said – literally. The future could bring a walking trail or a food forest, hydroponics or aquaponics, and more.

Supporters want the farmers market to be “a place that people want to come to,” Macon said, “definitely for the market, but not just for the market.

Visions for the farmers market will help to create a brighter future for a healthier Vance County.

 

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