Buyers in search of fresh produce flocked to stalls in front of City Hall yesterday at an exhibition aimed at promoting healthy living.

The Farmers Market and Healthy Living Expo, organised by the Department of Health, was the culmination of activities marking Public Health Week

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said the turnout was "great“.

She added: “Everyone seemed to enjoy the event, especially the remarkable array of fresh fruits and vegetables.”

The minister explained: “Today, we highlighted food and nutrition, an essential part of our overall health and wellbeing.

“Access to nutritious food is not only necessary for physical health but also for cognitive development, academic performance and overall quality of life.”

Ms Wilson expressed her appreciation for everyone who contributed to the event, including farmers and other vendors, the community health nursing team and nutrition services.

She also highlighted the efforts of the ministry’s health stakeholders “who joined us to help raise awareness about the importance of making healthy choices in our daily lives”.

Some attendees said they took time off work to buy vegetables and other produce.

One senior said: “I came out specifically to buy vegetables.”

She was impressed by the variety of produce and added: “I got to buy my goods for a cheap price too.”

Farmer JaVaughn Dill, of Dill Pickle Farming, said that “the event turned out to be very good, the weather held up”.

As he took a break from selling under the midday sun, Mr Dill said many people visited his stall for fresh vegetables.

He added: “This crowd here is probably like the second wave because people came out early, then you had the ones at lunchtime.”

Mr Dill said some guests at the event were interested in fresh fruit cups and others bought fruit smoothies, which were made on site.

He reflected on the importance of making healthy choices.

Mr Dill said: “Eating healthy and especially exercising too, go hand in hand. Everybody got all these diseases and high blood pressure, diabetes, but a lot of that comes from how you eat, the things you eat.”

He pointed out that he grows produce as organically as possible.

At yesterday’s event, people also took advantage of services offered by charities.

A representative of the Bermuda Diabetes Association said visitors tested their blood sugar levels at the organisation’s stand.

She said the charity was happy to be on hand to share health tips, including information on healthy eating, and that any event that promotes health and wellbeing was good for Bermuda.

Guests enjoyed samples of a chickpea salad spread, which was prepared on site by a health department team.

The week’s activities were celebrated under the theme “Protecting Connecting and Thriving: We are all Public Health”.

Ms Wilson said it was an “excellent opportunity for the Department of Health to raise awareness about various health issues and initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles, including healthy eating habits, physical activity, mental health resources and access to healthcare services”.