The UNMC Farmer’s Market, which continues today and Aug. 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the UNMC Ice Rink at the Ruth and Bill Scott Student Plaza, is more than an opportunity to buy fruits and vegetables, according to Jayme Nekuda, Ph.D., associate director of human resources.
It’s a chance to get healthier.
“The farmer’s market is helping to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables for employees and their family members,” Dr. Nekuda said. “It is improving their eating habits by assisting them to make healthier choices through the availability of fruits and veggies, as well as by providing hands-on demonstrations and recipes. It is increasing the consumption of fiber.
“It’s even increasing the campus community’s activity level, by getting people to walk down to the ice rink to try samples and purchase fruits and veggies.”
All of these things, Dr. Nekuda said, have been self-reported for several years on in the UNMC Health Risk Assessment Survey.
In 2017:
- 85% of UNMC respondents reported eating fewer than five servings a day of high-fiber foods;
- 80% reported eating fewer than five servings a day of fruits and vegetables;
- 74% reported feeling they didn’t adequately exercise; and
- 42% reports that half or more of the food they consumed was high-fat.
“It can be difficult to make big lifestyle changes,” Dr. Nekuda said. “But, on-campus programs like the farmer’s market can make an impact. I’d encourage members of the campus community who haven’t visited the farmer’s market yet to come down today or next week and take a look at the healthful offerings.
“And the very least,” she added with a laugh, “you’ll get a nice walk in.”