CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Residents of Chicago's Austin neighborhood will have access to free groceries on Wednesday, thanks to an effort from Loretto Hospital.
In honor of World Food Day, Loretto Hospital will be hosting a free farmers market for neighbors.
“World Food Day is really that place where we, as a community, lean in to ensure that the access is available, the access is easy and the access happens specifically on that day,” said Paula Yates, Loretto Hospital’s chief strategy officer. “It really is a catalyst to launch access on a more consistent basis.”
Yates said the goals of the market are to combat the food desert that currently exists in Austin and to raise awareness about the importance of access to nutritious food.
She said the market will offer fresh fruits, vegetables, and artisanal honey — all for free.
“The average life expectancy in our community is almost 20 years lower than the community that sits next to us,” Yates said. “Making fruits and vegetables, making healthy foods centralized in certain areas is important to ensuring that there is greater life expectancy rates in our communities.”
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