US Surgeon General Visits Eastern Market In Celebration Of 'National Farmers Market Week'

DETROIT (WWJ) -- The U.S. Surgeon General stopped by Eastern Market on Saturday afternoon in celebration of National Farmers Market Week.

Dr. Vivek Murthy came to see the Fair Food Network's Double Up Food Bucks program in action, which allows low-income families to use food stamps to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets.

"We need to make sure that wherever people are -- whether you're shopping in a farmers market, a small retail store or at a big retail store -- that fruits and vegetables are available at affordable prices," Murthy told WWJ Newsradio 950's Lauren Barthold.

These stores include independent shops and a new pilot at Whole Foods Market in Midtown set to begin on August 15.

"I bought a whole series of fruits and vegetables here which I'm excited to eat," Murthy said. "These as fruits and vegetables that were grown by local farmers, in fact, by children as well who live right here in Detroit."

Emilie Engelhard with the Fair Food Network explained how the program benefits the entire community.

"It's really a win-win-win," Engelhard said. "Low-income families bring home more fruits and vegetables, local farmers make more money and more food dollars stay in the local economy."

You can read more about the Double Up Food Bucks program HERE.