Downtown Green Market at Discovery Green Moves to Sundays Fresh fruits, vegetables and organic foods available each Sunday in downtown Houston January 17, 2009

Downtown Green Market at Discovery Green Moves to Sundays
Fresh fruits, vegetables and organic foods available each Sunday in downtown Houston

Discovery Green is pleased to announce that the Downtown Green Market, the weekly organic urban market will move from Thursday afternoons to Sundays, beginning January 18. Managed by the Central City-Co-op, the urban market has been a popular destination for visitors to the park since its debut last April. The market will be open each Sunday afternoon from 12:00- 4:00 pm. On January 18, shoppers are invited to register for a gift basket with featured items from vendors and Central City Co-op.

The Green Market features local vendors, showcasing their organically grown produce, fruits, clothing, specialty items and regional specialties from area farms and merchandisers. The variety has been well-received by Houstonians and fits well with the emphasis on healthy living at Discovery Green. Park organizers and Central City Co-op had discussed moving the market from Thursday afternoons to Sunday as a way to introduce more Houstonians to healthy and delicious offerings.

“On Sundays, Discovery Green filled with people, young and old, looking for a relaxing way to enjoy a day in the park,” said Susanne Theis, programming director at Discovery Green. “We hosted the market on Sunday in December and the response from both the vendors and visitors to the park was extremely positive.”

The organizers of Central City Co-op offer many convenient features for shoppers including the ability to pre-order Central City’s produce offerings and to purchase with cash or credit card from any vendor at the market.

“We are delighted with the move to Sunday afternoons and to expanding awareness of organic produce and foods to the visitors at Discovery Green,” said Carolyn Lambeth, Director of Operations for Central City Co-Op. “The members of our co-op are committed to making the Downtown Green Market at Discovery Green one of most successful markets in the city.”

Some of the vendors at the Sunday Green Market include:
• Trentino Gelato--- tantalizing assortment of flavors of organic gelato
• Janice Schindler’s Words and Food---pizza, pimento cheese, hummus and chocolate “whammies,”
• Pampered Sisters-- gift baskets of hand-crafted bath products. Featuring a new "body butter" made of shea butter, cocoa butter, and jojoba oil
• Shirley Ann's Catering-- savory quiches, breads, sweet treats
• Quick N Ezee Indian-- offering hot foods and teas, ready to eat
• Orchid Obsession--- Many beautiful varieties of orchids
• Seanna Harrington Jewelry-- all unique, one of a kind pieces. Beaded jewelry, sculpted wire, cotton jewelry.
• Last Organic Outpost--- offering the freshest lettuces, leafy greens, and vegetables of the season. All harvested at the Emile Community Farm, just outside of downtown Houston.
• Cloud Stone Garden--- backyard gardeners specializing in local vegetables, fruit, herbs, and potted plants.
• All We Need Organics-- a small family farm in Needville, all produce sustainably grown
• Angela's Wraps-- headwraps, headbands, and more made of recycled and vintage fabrics
• Nate's Recycled Art-- handmade mirrors, customized address signs, furniture pieces, all made of recycled materials and Hurricane Ike debris

For more information on the Green Market, visit http://www.centralcityco-op.org/discoverygreen or call (713) 400-7336.

Discovery Green Conservancy
The Discovery Green Conservancy operates the park. It is a private, non-profit organization formed in 2004 at the behest of the City of Houston’s Mayor Bill White. The Conservancy was charged with designing and building an urban park on property across from the George R. Brown Convention Center. The $122 million park project is a unique public-private partnership between the non-profit Discovery Green Conservancy and the City of Houston. Since its opening on April 13, 2008, Houstonians and visitors to the city are enjoying 12 acres of urban green space including one-acre lake, children’s playground area, interactive water features, multi-use amphitheater stage and sloping lawn, small and large dog runs, various public art works, lawns and many special events and unique programs.

Location
Discovery Green is located in downtown Houston, in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Hilton Americas. The park is just blocks away from Main Street, Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center.

Hours
Discovery Green is open every day from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Hours for events may vary. Areas of the park may be closed occasionally for maintenance or private events. Visitors may call 713-400-7336 or visit www.discoverygreen.com for additional information.

Parking
Several parking options, including metered, garage and surface lots, are available for park visitors. Streets on the park’s perimeter and nearby streets offer metered parking. Parking meter stations on each block accept credit cards and cash. Metered parking is in effect Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Rates vary.

Several nearby parking garages offer easy access to Discovery Green. The Convention District Garage is located under Discovery Green at 1002 Avenidas de las Americas. For daily and event pricing, call ahead to 800-427-4697 or 713-853-8000. Also, visit www.discoverygreen.com for more information about how to get to Discovery Green.

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