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BUFFALO, NY; August 6, 2010-The grand opening ceremony for the Farmers' Market at Grider held today officially opens "The Market" at its permanent location on a paved and landscaped lot across from Erie County Medical Center on the east side of Grider Street.

It's between Kensington and East Delavan avenues, adjacent to the Ephesus Ministries and former Catholic Charities buildings. 

"The Farmers' Market at Grider is a marketplace that offers a variety of approaches to healthy living," said ECMC CEO Jody L. Lomeo, who first proposed the market. "The purpose is to increase access to healthy food; promote healthy lifestyles; create an engaging, interactive community gathering place; and inform/educate the community on health/wellness and green initiatives."

Sharon Hanson, chairwoman of the ECMC Corp. board, was present for the dedication.

"As part of the continual ECMC commitment to the community, the implementation of this outdoor market is expected to encourage the development, promotion, and expansion of critically needed fresh food to our neighbors in the community," she said. "The project also supports ‘growing farmers' and serves to promote business growth, community building, and healthy, nutritious diets."

Participating community representatives included: Pastor Jeff  Carter, Ephesus Ministries; Alfonso Barnes, Delavan Grider Community Center; Daryl Rasuli, P² Collaborative of Western New York, Inc.

The Rev. Dr. James A. Lewis, III, Director of Pastoral Care at ECMC, conducted a market blessing. 

Grand opening day Farmers' Market at Grider celebration highlights included: the grand opening and ribbon cutting; music; tai-chi demonstrations; and a bicycle giveaway for pre-selected community recipients through Green Options Buffalo. Vegetables/fruits, plants and flowers and many other farm products are made available by local farmers/vendors. 

The Farmers' Market at Grider is open every Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October 29, 2010.  From May 21, through July 30, 2010, the Farmers' Market at Grider was temporarily situated in an ECMC visitor parking lot. 

Headed by the Erie County Medical Center Corporation, Buffalo area community partners, including area businesses, organizations, churches, and residents of the Delavan-Grider Community joined to establish the Farmers' Market.

The Delavan-Grider neighborhood and its residents now have access to fresh, wholesome, locally grown produce. 

MORE ABOUT ERIE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER: ECMC Corporation includes an advanced academic medical center (ECMC) with 550 inpatient beds and 136 skilled-nursing-home beds, on- and off-campus health centers, more than 40 outpatient specialty care clinics and the Erie County Home, a skilled nursing facility. ECMC is the regional center for trauma, burn care, and rehabilitation and is a major teaching facility for the University at Buffalo. Most ECMC physicians, dentists and pharmacists are dedicated faculty members of the university. More Western New York residents are choosing ECMC for exceptional patient care and customer service provided as a result of its Culture of Care. 

NEWS CONTACT: Joe Cirillo at 716-898-4300 -or- jcirillo@ecmc.edu

8/19/2010