Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to provide health and wellness programming at the Boston Public Market

The Boston Public Market and its lead programming partner, The Trustees of Reservations, today announced Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross) as the Health and Wellness Partner for the new indoor public market slated to open in summer 2015. Blue Cross, the first corporate sponsor announced for the Market, will provide content for health and wellness programming and help launch an initiative to help lower-income families.

“We share the Boston Public Market and Trustees commitment to a healthy Massachusetts,” said Andrew Dreyfus, President and CEO of Blue Cross. “We are pleased to be a part of this new endeavor, as it reflects our commitment to the community and the health and wellness of children and families.”

“We are so pleased to have Blue Cross partnering with us to provide programming that encourages healthy living, nutrition, and community wellbeing,” said Liz Morningstar, CEO of the Boston Public Market. “Along with The Trustees of Reservations, Blue Cross will help us launch the Market with a strong educational component that reaches both our customers and Boston’s neighborhoods.”

This news follows the announcement last week that the Trustees of Reservations will serve as the lead programming partner for the public market to be located on Blackstone Street, directly above the Haymarket MBTA station, and will manage the teaching kitchen in the Market. The programming curriculum will be based on partner-driven content in order to connect market patrons and community members with information on culinary education, health and nutrition, youth engagement, sustainability and conservation, and will include programming such as chef-led cooking demonstrations, nutrition classes, market tours, and workshops. Blue Cross will contribute expert information on health and wellness practices as part of the programming offerings. They will also sponsor a program that improves access for SNAP and WIC participants to the Market’s selection of fresh, local, and nutritious foods. “We believe that with the Trustees’ experience in connecting people to land and farming and Blue Cross’ experience in health and wellness, we will be able to present programs that align perfectly with the mission of the Market,” said Barbara Erickson, President and CEO, Trustees of Reservations.