As farmers markets continue to rise in popularity, Yolo County will add another on Thursday, June 2 with the opening of Sutter Davis Hospital Farmers Market at 2000 Sutter Place in West Davis. The Davis Farmers Market began partnering with Sutter Davis Hospital in 2010 to promote healthy eating under the slogan, "Good health begins with farm-fresh food," with the goal of launching a farmers market at the hospital this year. The market will be open Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm, June 2 through September 29.

Janet Wagner, the hospital's CEO, says there is a definite connection between good health and farm-fresh food. "We are the first farmers' market affiliated with a hospital in Yolo county. This market gives our patients, staff and volunteers easy access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, which is particularly important as we see an increase in diabetes, heart disease and childhood obesity in our county and across the country." Sutter Davis Hospital has repeatedly received national recognition for our patient satisfaction and quality of care, most recently being named one of the nation's top 100 hospitals. Wagner adds, "Opening the Sutter Davis Hospital Farmers Market is just on additional way we hope to achieve our mission to improve the lives of the people in our community."  

Davis Farmers Market will manage the hospital farmers market. Randii MacNear, Davis Farmers Market's executive director says the market will feature eight to ten farmers, plus two prepared food vendors. "The market will have lots of local, farm-fresh food producers, including: cherries and apricots, peaches, plums and grapes from Mt. Moriah Farms;organic strawberries and eggs from Grow Rite Farms; grass-fed beef from Yolo Land & Cattle; apple juice from Ratzlaff Ranch; olive oil from Yolo Press; flowers, and melons (later in the season) from Yolo Bulb; honey from McDonald Orchard; almonds and almond butter from Cabral Farms; plus Asian vegetables from Zhey's Farms; and organic corn, green beans and potatoes later in the season. Prepared food vendors include Upper Crust Bakery of Davis and East West Gourmet Afghan Foods of Concord. Hospital staff will conduct health screenings at each market.

Sutter Davis Hospital Farmers Market will accept EBT cards and issue market scrip, and also accept WIC farmers market nutrition coupons for WIC mothers and seniors.

The market's grand opening ceremony at 10 am on June 2 will include a welcome by CEO Wagner, and comments by Davis Farmers Market manager, Randii MacNear, and Dr. Joan Smith-Maclean, Sutter Davis Hospital's Physician Ambassador for the Market. At 10:10 am, Wagner will open the market with the traditional ringing of a bell. The grand opening will also feature: cooking demonstration and tastings presented by Josue Montalban, operations manager of the hospital's Nutrition and Food Services; health screenings; giveaways; and guest appearance by Sacramento River Cats players and the River Cats mascot, Dinger. From 10:30 am to noon, River Cats players will sign baseballs and play whiffle-ball with children who visit the market that day.

Sutter Davis Hospital is one of the hospitals around the country that are taking steps toward improving access to local farm-fresh food by offering weekly farmers markets for staff, patients and their neighboring community. MacNear adds, "It's been a long-time goal to open a satellite market in West Davis, and Sutter Davis Hospital offers a great location."

In health care, there's a growing trend toward promoting the wellness aspect of eating as the very basis of good health. Wagner says that Sutter Davis Hospital is also working on expanding their partnership with local farmers. "We will begin  to incorporate farm-fresh food into our cafeteria offerings for our patients, staff, and visitors. This is just one more way that we can help make healthy food choices available to more people."