Davis – The Sutter Davis Hospital Farmers Market returns on May 9. The market is open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 24
Megan Church, manager of health information management at Sutter Davis Hospital, left, and CEO Rachael McKinney check out the produce in June 2018 at the Sutter Davis Hospital Farmers Market.
In its ninth year, the Sutter Davis Hospital Farmers Market brings farm-fresh, local foods and produce to the hospital’s main entrance, 2000 Sutter Place in West Davis. The May 9 market will feature season-opening welcome from Sutter Davis Hospital and Davis Farmers Market officials, including Sutter Davis Hospital CEO Rachael McKinney. Vickie Sargetis, nutrition and food services manager at Sutter Davis Hospital, will give away free samples of and recipes for a meatless Bahn Mi sandwich, made with market ingredients. Special guests from the Sacramento River Cats, including the team mascot, Dinger, will be around for the festivities. A free tote bag will also be given to the first 350 attendees.
“We are committed to improving health both inside and outside the walls of our hospital,” said Don Hartman, human relations director at Sutter Davis Hospital. “Our ongoing work with the Davis Farmers Market helps us put those efforts into action in a way that’s convenient, creative and fun.”
Confirmed vendors include Chavez Farms with strawberries, eggs, vegetables, lettuce and spring onions; Gotelli Farms with cherries; Upper Crust Baking Co., with cheesecake, breads and cookies; In June, Ahmad Farms will return with peaches, followed by apricots, nectarines, pluots, plums and Asian pears. New this year is Bamford Family Farms, with assorted infused olive oils, W. Margaron, with gluten-free artisan macarons, and Zamora Flora Farms with flowers and Sola Bee Honey.
The hospital’s market accepts EBT cards, WIC and Senior coupons. Shoppers with no cash on hand may purchase Market Dollars using debit or credit cards.
The Davis Farmers Market manages the markets at two Sutter hospitals as part of a partnership to promote good health. The additional location is at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, year-round at 2825 Capitol Ave.
Farmers markets are just one way Sutter Health strives to make its communities healthier. One of Sutter Health’s goals is to provide food that conserves and renews natural resources, protects the ecosystem on which all life depends, advances animal and human welfare, and increases local community resources. Practice Greenhealth, a nonprofit for institutions in healthcare, is collaborating with Sutter Health to support sustainable, eco-friendly practices.
In partnership with Sutter Health’s Environmental Stewardship Food Committee, Sutter hospitals also plan to increase the amount of plant-based food offered to surrounding communities in 2019. The goal is to increase fruits and vegetables by 20 percent and offer more plant-based recipes that meet healthy nutrition guidelines in Sutter’s hospital cafeterias. As a part of these efforts, Sutter Davis Hospital started “Meatless Mondays” in its cafeteria.
Davis is known for its farmers markets, especially is flagship market in Central Park, 301 C St. Its Saturday market runs year-round from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Its Wednesday markets are 4:30 p.m. till sunset during daylight saving time (Picnic in the Park), and 3 to 6 p.m. from November through March. Also, on Wednesdays through June 5, visit the UC Davis Farmers Market from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Quad, across from the Coffeehouse.
