Mary T. hosts farmers market part of wellness effort
by Bethany Kemming
Staff Intern
Around 300 Coon Rapids residents selected their share of produce and popcorn flowers at the first Mary T. Inc. farmers market June 29.
Mary T. Inc. is hosting its first farmers market this summer every Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. Three local growers offer a variety of plants and produce. The market was started with a grant to Anoka County from the Statewide Health Improvement Program. Photo by Bethany Kemming
The market was part of Mary T.’s wellness program started with a grant from the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP).
“You need to have plants just for fun sometimes,” said Larry Golyer, Anoka County Growers Association president and owner of Lone Wolf Greenhouses. Golyer quickly sold the popcorn flowers that carried the smell of buttered popcorn and plans to bring other creative plants in the future, including ones that move around when touched.
Along with the market, Anoka County Health Educator Sarah Hearn said SHIP helped Mary T. establish its wellness committee and program, walking club and exercise club. The state SHIP program awarded a grant to each county in Minnesota. Anoka County received a $2.3 million grant.
Hearn said the focus of the grants is to prevent obesity and promote tobacco cessation. Starting a wellness committee is a requirement for each recipient of the grant.
“SHIP encourages healthy eating and our [Anoka County Growers Association] bylaws say everything has to be locally grown,” said Anoka County Growers Association Secretary and Treasurer Sandi Golyer.
Anoka County contacted Golyer to help assist with the market at Mary T. Inc., because of her experience with farmers markets.
The Anoka County Growers Association includes growers from the Anoka County area and a few local growers outside of Anoka County.
Golyer said increased interest in healthier eating has spurred more interest in farmers markets, increasing the size of the association.
According to Mary T. Inc. Administrative Marketing Assistant Courtney Nelson, the market will continue throughout the summer or until the produce season ends.
Golyer said the majority of the farmers markets they sell at don’t begin until mid-July, making Mary T.’s market start during a less busy time of year.
There are three different farmers markets in Anoka County through the SHIP grant, located at Mercy Hospital, Mary T. Inc. and Crestview Senior Community.
Hearn said SHIP contacted 47 different work sites two years ago, asking if they would like to sign on as a partner to receive part of Anoka County’s grant. Of the 47, 22 work sites responded and Anoka County currently has 14 different partners.
SHIP grants went to four different sectors including schools, communities, work sites and health care sites. Other work site initiatives include breakfast promotions, tobacco cessation classes and bike rentals for employees to use during the work day.
Bethany Kemming is at bethany.kemming@ecm-inc.com
