SALINAS, CA – March 8, 2011 — Harry Weis, CEO of Natividad Medical Center, announced today that Natividad Medical Center will offer a year round Certified Farmers’ Market, beginning Wednesday, March 23rd from 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  The Farmers Market will be located at 1441 Constitution Blvd., outside of building 200-Out Patient Services, and be open every Wednesday.  The Certified Farmers Market is part of Natividad Medical Center’s ongoing commitment to promote wellness and healthy eating among Natividad Medical Center’s staff, patients and their families.

At Natividad Medical Center’s Certified Farmers Market, shoppers will find fresh quality fruits and vegetables (many certified organic), beautiful flowers, organic eggs, and unique gifts from small-scale family farmers and local independent businesses. By shopping at Natividad Medical Center’s California Certified Farmers Market you are supporting local California growers.  Farmers include:

·  Avalos Organic Farm, Efron Avalos

· J.C.G. Farm, Jose and Bernice Garcia

· Rogriquez Ranch, Roberto and Malania

· Universal Organics, Jose Nunez

· Santa Rosa Flowers, Jose and Lourdes

· Stack House, Rodney or Armondo

Grand Opening festivities March 23rd 2011:

11:30 a.m.       Market Opens

11:45 a.m.       Vegetable Costumes handing out coupons until 2:00 p.m.

12:30 p.m.       Produce samplings @ market stands

12:45 p.m.       Harry Weis, CEO, Natividad Medical Center to Speak

2:00 p.m.         Farmers Market Cooking Demo

2:45 p.m.        Grand Re-open celebration ends

5:30 p.m.         Market Closes

During the grand opening festivities several farmers will be on hand to make a "colorful harvest salad" recipe and tasting for our grand re-opening.   Farmers participating on March 23rd include:  Avalos Family Farms, Schletewitz Fruit Factory, Global Mushroom, Stackhouse Brothers Farms, and Rodriquez Ranch.  For more information on Natividad Medical Center Certified Farmer’s Market contact JCM Management at 831-402-4705. For information on Natividad Medical Center or the grand opening festivities, please contact Natividad Medical Center press contact Marci Bracco (831) 747-7455.

About Natividad Medical Center

Natividad Medical Center is a 172-bed acute care medical center owned and operated by Monterey County, and has been providing healthcare for more than 120 years. A public community hospital, Natividad Medical Center emphasizes the care of women, children and families and offers comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic and specialty care. Natividad is the only teaching hospital on the Central Coast, through its affiliation with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). With a medical staff of more than 235 physicians, Natividad’s mission is to continually improve the health status of the people of Monterey County through access to affordable, high-quality healthcare services. Natividad is based in Salinas, California. For more information, please call 831-755-4111 or visit www.natividad.com.