(April 6, 2005) -- In a creative teaming with the LB Health Dept., Harbor Area Farmers Markets are coming to East Long Beach on Thursday afternoons, starting April 7 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the LB Health Dept. HQ: 2525 Grand Ave.

The site is one block south of Willow St., just east of Redondo Ave. on the southwest corner of the LB Health Dept. parking lot along E. Burnett St..

Saying that the Farmers Market brings "fresh produce directly from the farm to the community," LB's Dept. of Health & Human Services says in a written release:

"The [ELB] Certified Farmers’ Market will provide eggs, vine-ripened fruit and vegetables, and fresh-cut flowers. All farmers at the market are certified California farmers who grow and sell their own crops."

Additionally, the Health Dept. release says "market patrons will be able to receive information about the Health Department’s programs and services such as the Healthy Active Long Beach Program, which will provide nutrition education, physical activity promotion, and healthy cooking demonstrations at the weekly markets."

Ron Arias, Dir. of LB's Dept. of Health and Human Services, says in the agency's release: "Fresh produce tastes great. It is also a key to good nutrition, which promotes personal health and wellness."

The Harbor Area Farmers Markets are now in their 25th year. 20 years ago, the Thursday market opened in San Pedro, moved to Signal Hill in 1999, and now arrives in ELB.

Organizers say their ELB "Grand Re-opening" will include "Earth-Friendly" music by Jon Sherman, a fire engine visit from the LB Fire Dept., Brian the face painter and a balloon sculptor for the kids and a piece of 25th Anniversary Cake.

The pictures on this page were snapped at the Southeast LB Farmers Market @ Alamitos Bay Marina, (Sundays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.).

There's also a downtown LB Farmers Market (Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m). at CityPlace Mall (Promenade N. between 4th & 5th Sts.

The Harbor Area Farmers Market web site says Thursday's ELB Farmers Market from 4:00-7:30 p.m. will feature "fresh fruits, vegetables (including some Asian), nuts, cut flowers, live orchids, cultured eggs (such as "Balut"), baked goods, and some hot prepared foods."

The debut of the ELB Farmers Market at the LB Health Dept. location coincides with Public Health Week, a national event promoting healthy behavior with the following suggestions:

• Introduce vegetables into every meal every day
• Try fresh fruit for a dessert
• Encourage children to help make healthy selections at the store
• Look for recipes that use fresh foods, and depend less upon fat, sugar or starches
• Find more opportunities to walk around the neighborhood
• Use the stairs instead of the elevator
• Join a local recreational center for regular physical activity

ELB's Thursday Farmers Markets will include free parking in the Health Dept. parking lot (accessed from Grand Ave.) and along the north side of E. Burnett St

Information about Farmers’ Markets in the greater LB area can be found on their web site at wwwharborareafarmersmarkets.org or at (866) GOOD-VEG.