Farmers market to alleviate food access barriers • St Pete Catalyst

The Lealman Alternate, a neighborhood heart positioned at 5175 forty fifth St. N., is about to turn into the house of a brand new farmers market beginning in October. 

The Lealman Farmers Market will function on the fourth Sunday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering residents with common entry to recent, regionally sourced fruits, greens, herbs, honey and extra. Greater than a dozen distributors have already signed up, with spots obtainable for as much as 35 distributors in whole.

This initiative goals to handle the neighborhood’s lack of recent meals choices and create stronger connections between residents and native Florida farmers. 

Lealman, like many city areas, has confronted challenges in offering its residents with quick access to recent, nutritious meals choices. Native officers have spent money and time to uplift the neighborhood, a meals desert because of its lack of a single grocer. The introduction of the brand new farmers market is a strategic transfer to fight this difficulty by bringing native farmers and meals producers on to residents.

“Bringing a meals market that gives recent produce and wholesome meals choices to the Lealman neighborhood is an important step in selling the well-being of its residents,” mentioned Tom Almonte, Pinellas County Assistant County Administrator. “This initiative ensures that every one residents, no matter earnings, have the chance to make more healthy meals decisions, in the end resulting in a stronger, extra resilient neighborhood.”

The selection of the Lealman Alternate because the venue for the farmers market is critical. The neighborhood heart, operated as a public/personal partnership between Pinellas County and the St. Petersburg Basis, already serves as a hub for numerous neighborhood providers and occasions.

“Past addressing meals entry, our objective is for the Lealman Farmers Market to function a neighborhood gathering house,” mentioned Joe Hamilton, cofounder of the St. Petersburg Basis. “When individuals convene in a optimistic surroundings, they construct relationships that assist create a extra aligned and resilient neighborhood, which makes life higher.”

Market organizers are nonetheless in search of native farmers, artisans and meals producers. Extra details about the Lealman Farmers Market, together with upcoming dates and a vendor sign-up kind, is obtainable on-line right here.
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The St. Petersburg Basis (SPF) is the philanthropic arm of the St. Petersburg Group (SPG), which owns the St. Pete Catalyst.

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