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By Natalie Musumeci
Brooklyn Daily
There were no funnel cakes or sausage-and-pepper sandwiches to be found at this street fair.
Hundreds of health-conscious Brooklynites turned out for the Health and Harvest Fair that took over Underhill Avenue between Saint Johns and Sterling places in Prospect Heights on Saturday and fair fans say they did not miss the grease.
“So many street fairs feature really unhealthy food,” said Fran Miller of the Brooklyn Food Coalition, which organizes the healthy street fair that is now in its second year.
A total of 30 local vendors dished out free samples of nutritious fare at the anti-blocked artery block party. Guilt-free treats included locally-grown vegetarian eats and drinks like fresh smoothies, kale juice, and herbal tea. The point, organizers say, was to let Prospect Heights residents know that they do not have to go far to get wholesome foods and exercise instruction.
“We want our local community to know there are many healthy living resources right in our neighborhood,” Miller said.
Organizers passed out a healthy living map highlighting the locations of nearby farmers markets, community gardens, soup kitchens, and co-ops and many clean-living locals came out to share their secrets to staying fit. Neighborhood gardeners did cooking demonstrations, fitness gurus showed off their Zumba, yoga, and marital arts skills, and touch healers gave out free massages and acupuncture. There was even a bike generator on hand to charge cell phones and computers.
Rappers including Mama Nature, Sonnet Man, and Precise Talent Over Hype performed environmentally-conscious songs at the street festival, which was co-sponsored by Duryea Presbyterian Church.