The building that formally housed the old New Deal supermarket now gives the community a better deal. Fresh produce. The Jackson Roadmap to Health Equity Project spearheaded this juncture.
The grand opening was held today in conjuction with the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation. Jackson Roadmap’s Project director, Beneta Burt said the project was developed as a health and wellness initiative.
“The project was funded through a grant by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation,” said Burt. “It’s grounded in three schools here in the medical mall district. Johnson Elementary, Brinkley Middle and Lanier High Schools.”
On hand to help in the grand opening celebration were Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Lonnie Edwards, City Council President Frank Bluntson and Jackson Medical Mall Executive Director Primus Wheeler.
“The idea behind this project is to decrease the level of obesity in our schools and consequently in our community,” said Burt.
Edwards said that he is extremely excited about this initiative and the message it’s going to send to the parents and community of JPS.
“This is going to send the message that three things are important. Nutrition, health care and lifestyle,” said Edwards. “It is important to know what to eat, how to eat it and to eat it regularly. I stand behind this 100 percent in the hopes of making our children the healthiest in the state of Mississippi.”
According to the media notice sent out by the Medical Mall foundation, research shows fruits and vegetables are critical to good health. They contain essential vitamins, minerals and fibers that help protect the body from chronic disease, including cancer, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.
Getting Jackson healthy is something that Mayor Johnson said he spoke about in his campaign and stands behind this healthy initiative.
“I spoke about urban gardening in my campaign. The first lady calls it the peoples’ garden. A garden we can raise good food, healthy food that we could provide to all of our people no matter where they reside,” said Johnson. “The city of Jackson has public land that can be used for urban gardening. A place where young people can learn gardening and older people can pass on their knowledge.”
The Farmers’ Market is located on Livingston Rd., beside the Jackson Medical Mall. The current hours of operation are 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Fridays and 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
Interested vendors should contact the Jackson Roadmap to Health Equity Project’s office at 601-987
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