Farmer’s market serves oncology patients’ nutrition needs at Trinity

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (WTRF) — When shopping at the grocery store, it can be hard to resist grabbing a frozen meal instead of heading to the fresh produce aisle.

But Trinity Health System wants you to think twice about your diet this summer.

Trinity’s Tony Teramana Cancer Center doesn’t just help their patients through treatment, it helps them through life.

Donations from the center’s TEAR Fund already help contribute to their bills at home while they’re off work—and now the health system’s Fresh Fridays for Health program is making sure they have what they need on their dinner plate.

The farmer’s market began Friday at the St. John Arena at Trinity’s West campus, as a collaboration between Clinical Dietitian II Jessica Rea and Market Director of Mission and Ethics Liz Schriner.

Local growers from KOLB Orchard and It’s All Good Farm brought bushels of onion, garlic, zucchini, peaches and more for sale especially for the healing journey.

But the food was available to anyone who wanted a reset on their diet.

“The genesis came from our cancer patients who when health issues invade a person’s life or part of a person’s life, then lots of other things are really challenging, including getting to a grocery store.”

Liz Schriner, Market Director for Mission, Trinity Health System

“Every individual person’s needs are different. And so certainly a tailored plan makes the most sense. I certainly would recommend reaching out to a registered dietitian, nutritionist.”

Jessica Rea, Clinical Dietitian II, Trinity Health System

It’s All Good Farm also sold some of their flowers at the market as well.

Patients were also given gift certificates for the produce there, and even Trinity staff shopped to commit to a healthier 2024.