LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Multiple local organizations have joined forces to host a free fresh produce giveaway for the west Louisville community.
Norton Healthcare, Norton Children’s Hospital, Greater Louisville Medical Society Foundation, and the YMCA worked with New Roots for the Spring Into Health giveaway.
It happened at the Republic Bank Foundation YMCA on May 11 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“Our West End is a well-known food desert," Patricia Purcell, M.D., MBA, president-elect, Greater Louisville Medical Society, said. “To begin addressing this nutritional gap, our Greater Louisville Medical Society Foundation is partnering with Norton Healthcare and New Roots to provide free fresh produce from local farms to West End residents."
Officials with Spring Into Health handed out 200 bags of fresh, locally grown produce.
PHOTOS: Louisville organizations host fresh produce giveaway for West End community
"I have a lot of health issues that require me to have a lot of healthy foods like salads and stuff like that. And I don't find them around here in these little corner stores and stuff," Cynthia Scott said.
She's lived in the west end for around 20 years.
"Mostly they have is like canned goods and stuff like that. But they don't have any fresh vegetables. They don't have any fresh fruit. You know, things like that, that I really need for my body," Scott said.
Residents said the ultimate goal is for a real grocery store to be built. Mayor Craig Greenberg has expressed a wish to bring a grocery store to the area, and part of his budget includes incentives to lure a grocery downtown.
In addition, participants can:
- Take part in health and wellness games, win prizes and be entered in a chance to win a Fitbit
- Learn where Louisville’s local foods come from and how to sign up to receive affordable local produce
- Get information about easy-to-access health care in our community
- Explore health and fitness resources available at the YMCA and have a chance to win a 30-day pass
"For those who receive the free groceries at our upcoming event, if their household would like, they can sign up to receive these wonderful varieties of fresh produce every other week going forward. SNAP benefits are accepted and even doubled," Purcell said.
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