For Immediate Release
     Media Contact: Karyn Moskowitz at 502-509-6770 Ext. 703

(LOUISVILLE, KY) – New Roots, a non-profit organization igniting community power for fresh food access has announced the opening of the 2020 growing season with a slate of eight biweekly community-based Fresh Stop Markets in Louisville and New Albany. These include the:

• Gendler Grapevine Fresh Stop Market @ the Jewish Community Center
• New Albany Fresh Stop Market @ Sojourn Community Church
• West Louisville Fresh Stop Market @ Chef Space
• West Louisville Fresh Stop Market @ the California Community Center
• Portland Fresh Stop Market @ Facilities Management Services
• Old Louisville Fresh Stop Market @ First Unitarian Church
• Shelby Park/Smoketown Fresh Stop Market @ Logan Street Market
• Berrytown Fresh Stop Market @ First Baptist Church of Anchorage

This is New Roots 11^th growing season forming fresh food zones in Louisville’s fresh food insecure neighborhoods. “This year we are expecting close to 1000 families to participate. Our main concern as always is that our information gets out to those who are struggling to gain access to fresh food due to financial and/or transportation challenges,” according to New Roots Executive Director Karyn Moskowitz. “We accept SNAP Benefits and offer an income-based sliding scale. There is a network of support for cooking demos and recipe sharing. Everyone is invited to participate and pre-purchase shares (bags) of seasonal, farm-fresh, organic and chemical-free produce. No one is turned away for lack of resources.”

June 2^nd is the first day for Fresh Stop Markets, which will continue until October 31^st. All markets will feature the same fresh, organic and chemical-free veggies from Rootbound, Valley Spirit and Barr Farms, with occasional fruit from Hunts Berry, Appleworks, and other small family orchards and fresh eggs from GrassCorps. Almost 100 percent of the food comes from within 60 miles of Louisville.

New this year is that New Roots will be following safe, COVID-19 practices, pre-packing bags for shareholders. All “wrap around” activities such as veggie cheerleading and chef demos will be moving online to their new YouTube channel. “Getting to continue this important and exciting work of supporting families in accessing fresh, local, organic produce, especially during this time, makes me so happy,” said Meg Stern, a New Roots volunteer chef. “My first video will feature early season yummies like greens and radishes.”

“We’re excited to be designated an essential business by governors of both Kentucky and Indiana,” continued Karyn Moskowitz. “Now more than ever we need to build up our immune systems with healthy, nutritious produce and support our local farmers.”

For more information on how to get involved with New Roots call 502-509-6770 or email info@newroots.org. To order shares for the season (pre-paying for just your first share) click here.

New Roots is a local organization, which believes access to fresh food is a basic human right. It has helped to organize the Fresh Stop Markets. FRESH STOP MARKETS are “pop up” farm-fresh food markets set up at local churches, community centers, and businesses in neighborhoods facing barriers to accessing the farm-fresh food we all need to be happy and healthy. The food has been paid for in advance so that farmers don’t face the same degree of risk as they do with a standard farmers’ market. Families pool their money and SNAP benefits to purchase in bulk from local farmers on a sliding scale. Each family receives a “share” (bag) of seasonal produce that feeds 2-3 people. The community describe Fresh Stop Markets as welcoming and happy – like a family reunion where all five senses are engaged and there is lots of laughter, food and fun!