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Lavizzo Elementary Hosts First Farmers Market In Roseland

By Andrea V. Watson | August 25, 2016 7:31am | Updated on August 26, 2016 11:42am
 Lavizzo Elementary is hosting a farmers market Aug. 31 from 2:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Lavizzo Elementary is hosting a farmers market Aug. 31 from 2:30 - 5:30 p.m.
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DNAinfo/Heather Cherone

ROSELAND — Lavizzo Elementary School is hosting its first farmers market Aug. 31.

Thanks to help from the City of Chicago, Principal Tracey Stelly is able to bring her students and their families fresh produce for the first time. The market will be held at the school, 138 W. 109th St.,  from 2:30-5:30 p.m. When people use their LINK card, they receive double the produce.

"This is our first time having it at the school and we're really excited," Stelly said. "Anyone who uses their LINK card gets double and I think that's a good incentive."

Roseland resident Aaron Mallory said the community was living in a food desert. There are no grocery stores in Roseland, forcing people to travel outside of their neighborhood to get fresh fruits and vegetables, he said.

"People have to take a bus if they don't have a car because there's nothing in close proximity," he said.

The new farmers market gives people the opportunity to buy fresh produce right in their community, both he and Stelly said. There will be vendors and a chef doing a healthy meal demonstration.

The farmers market will be at the school every Wednesday through Nov. 9.

Also, on the same day, Lavizzo parents will have their open house starting at noon.

Stelly said most schools have open house once the academic year has already begun, but she prefers holding Lavizzo's before the students return. Parents will tour the building, learn about the staff's expectations and meet with teachers. A robo-call went out already notifying parents of the open house.

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