Flint, MI – Today the Flint Farmers’ Market announced they plan to create two small neighborhood markets within the city of Flint, one in the north and one in the south. The Flint Farmers’ Market wants to be sure that as many Flint residents as possible have access to fresh healthy locally grown produce. Many residents lack transportation; many are elderly, many infirmed. They lack the ability to reach the main market. Many other residents have started their own gardens, some individual, some school, and some community. So together with volunteers from Edible Flint, a local grass roots organization, they have made plans to launch the two markets this summer. The community is invited to join in this project by contributing through the website www.indiegogo.com. Contributors receive gifts from the market for making a donation and will be able to watch the progress of the project. A total of $10,000 is needed to support the creation of the two markets through the online fund-raiser. Matching funds will come from local foundations, organizations and businesses.
“With over 80 convenience stores in the City of Flint and very few places to buy fresh and healthy foods, neighborhood markets can become incubators for healthier eating and small scale economic development. We believe that they can also become centers of community pride and engagement,” said Dick Ramsdell, Market Manager.
The markets are planned to last for three hours and will be held on off days for the main market. The exact sites and days of the new markets will be announced in late May. Each market will allow the opportunity for part time jobs for a market manager and a young person from the neighborhood and will have at least one “anchor” vendor from the Flint Farmers’ Market. The markets will feature neighborhood gardeners who will have an opportunity to sell their produce and will be located within residential areas which will provide easier access for those who cannot shop at the main market. For more information contact the Flint Farmers’ Market at 810.232.1399 or info@flintfarmersmarket.com.
