Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: July 13, 2005
Contact : Ann Thacher, Chief, Office of Health Promotion (401-222-7637)

Governor Carcieri launches the Capitol Hill Farmer’s Market: A First Step in Promoting Healthy Eating and Active Living by the Department of Health’s Initiative for a Healthy Weight

Opening Ceremony with Governor Carcieri
Thursday, July 14, 2005

Starting this Thursday, state employees in the Capitol Hill area will have the opportunity to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at their workplace. The Rhode Island Department of Health’s Initiative for a Healthy Weight, in collaboration with the Governor's Get Fit RI! State Employees Worksite Wellness Initiative, Healthy Rhode Island 2010, the Department of Administration, and the Department of Environmental Management, is bringing a Farmer’s Market to the front lawn of the Department of Administration every Thursday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

“Just last month we launched our Get Fit! RI State Employee Worksite Wellness Initiative and already we see a wonderful intervention—the Capitol Hill Farmer's Market—taking place,” said Governor Carcieri. “I urge all state employees, particularly those in the Capitol Hill area, to come to the market, take home some locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables and support our local farmers.”

Governor Carcieri will kick off the Opening Ceremony of the Farmer’s Market, this Thursday, July 14, at Noon. In addition to Governor Carcieri, David Gifford, MD, MPH, Director of the Department of Health, W. Michael Sullivan, PhD, Director of the Department of Environmental Management, Beverly E. Najarian, Director of the Department of Administration will also be speaking at the ceremony to encourage state employee participation at this event. Other special events include a professional cooking demonstration by Johnson and Wales' chefs, a yoga demonstration, live music by “Kojo and the What” and much more.

The Capitol Hill Farmer's Market was initiated by the Initiative for a Healthy Weight as on way to promote eating more fruits and vegetables. Recent research has shown that obesity levels are lowest among those who eat the most fruits and vegetables. Yet, only 27% of Rhode Island adults consume the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables each day.

David Gifford, MD, MPH, Director of the Department of Health, has identified the obesity epidemic in our state as one of his top public health priorities. Between 1990 and 2003, the obesity rate in Rhode Island increased by 66%. Currently in Rhode Island, 56% of adults are overweight or obese [BRFSS, 2004] and 37% of children and adolescents, ages 6-17, are overweight or at risk for overweight [HIS, 2001]. “ The Capitol Hill Farmer's Market is a great way to help state employees increase their intake of fruits and vegetables--one of our key strategies for preventing obesity and related chronic diseases. State employees will lead the way toward a Rhode Island where safe and healthy communities support healthy eating and active living” said Dr. David Gifford.