Farm Stand Project brings healthy freshness to UAB | Health

UAB has set up a fresh food farm stand at locations around the downtown campus as part of its Wellness Program initiative.

It’s no secret Alabama tips the scales when it comes to obesity. To help combat this problem, UAB is making it easier for employees, students and visitors to make healthier food choices with the New Leaf Farm Stand, part of its Farm Stand Project.

The farm stand run by Ellen Riley makes fresh fruits and vegetables available in an area a 2010 Main Street Birmingham Survey called a “food desert,” a place where there’s no access to fresh food.

“It’s beautiful food and people get excited and people really want to eat well and cook well and enjoy it,” Riley said. “So get to bring them the goodies is really fun.”

Riley stocks the farm stand with vegetables such as tomatoes, sweet corn, squash, peppers and beans as well as fresh peaches, eggplant, blueberries and blackberries.

She also said okra and green tomatoes are very popular. However, she said “The catch-22 is we’re trying to teach people to quit frying stuff.”

According to UAB’s website, the Farm Stand project was initiated by UAB President Carol Garrison and brought to fruition through a joint partnership between UAB Employee Wellness and the UAB Hospital Food and Nutrition Services Department.

You can find the New Leaf Farm Stand at different locations throughout the work week on campus:

Monday: North Pavilion, second floor, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday: The Kirklin Clinic, second floor, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Administration Building, first floor, 8:30 a.m. to noon

Wednesday: UAB Highlands, first floor atrium, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursday: Lister Hill Library, second floor, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thursday: Medical Towers, first floor lobby, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday: West Pavilion, first floor atrium, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.