MEDIA CONTACT:
Erin Clary
Director of Communications
eclary@mariacollege.edu
518-588-5802
Maria College hosts successful Farmers Market and Wellness Fair
Albany, NY – Maria College hosted a public Farmers Market and Wellness Fair on Friday, September 30, on the College’s Great Lawn, with produce from the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and more than 30 wellness and food tables. The event is co-sponsored by St. Peter’s Health Partners.
The fair provided services such as social needs screenings, healthcare and daycare information, self-care activities, and more. Additionally, SNAP and WIC were accepted for produce purchases and a limited number of $10 vouchers were available for those that qualify.
The event is part of Maria College’s Mercy Week, an annual week of events that celebrates Mercy Day on September 24 – the anniversary of the opening of the first “House of Mercy” in 1827 in Dublin, Ireland. Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, devoted her life to the poor, sick and uneducated, and today the College continues her legacy of caring and compassion in the name of Mercy.
List of participants:
- Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York – fresh produce for purchase and nutritionist services
- Peter’s Health partners – Therapy dogs, cancer services and social needs screening
- City of Albany Common Councilmembers Jack Flynn (8th Ward), Meghan Keegan (9th Ward) and Deborah Zamer (14th Ward)
- Sigma Theta Tau (National Honor Society for Nurses) – Yoga and meditation, health care proxy, blood pressure screenings, diabetes awareness and organ donation information
- Atlas Personal Wealth Management
- BrightSide Up
- Honest Weight Kitchen/Co-op
- Healthy Capital District Initiative
- Maria College Student Affairs – Winter Survival Kits; Office of Admissions; Office of Mission Integration
- Maria College Campus Store
- Pura Vida Kettle Corn
“We are pleased to collaborate with St. Peter’s Health Partners to offer our first Farmers Market and Wellness Fair as part of our annual Mercy Week celebrations,” said Maria College President Lynn Ortale, Ph.D. “This event is a testament to two of our core values – service and hospitality. As a leading healthcare educator in the Capital Region, we are committed to working with our partners to educate our community and improve the lives of those living right here in our neighborhood.”
“A focus on community health and well-being is a key pillar of St. Peter’s Health Partners’ integrated, people-centered approach towards improving the health of the entire population,” said Kathy DeRosa, SPHP’s Chief Mission Officer and VP of Community Health and Well-being. “We are truly grateful for partnerships like the one we have with Maria College that provides us the opportunity to engage with our neighbors. Efforts such as this farmer’s market and wellness fair provide community members with access to fresh food, education, and resources to help them along their journey to realize the benefits of leading a healthier lifestyle.”
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