News Summary
Georgetown, Kentucky, will welcome Black Soil’s Farmacy Neighborhood Market on June 7, aiming to address food accessibility issues in the Georgetown Street area. This new market will offer fresh local produce and food options, with a focus on affordability. The initiative is backed by local partnerships and aims to revitalize food access for residents, who have faced challenges accessing healthy options in a known food desert. Executive Director Ashley Smith emphasizes the importance of community involvement in overcoming food insecurity through local sourcing.
Georgetown, Kentucky – Black Soil’s Farmacy Neighborhood Market is set to open on June 7, offering fresh local produce and food to the Georgetown Street area, which has long been identified as a food desert. This new market marks Black Soil’s first venture into the fresh foods sector, aiming to provide the community with easier access to healthy options while promoting the principle that “food is medicine.”
The market will feature a variety of fresh vegetables, including lettuce, squash, tomatoes, and melons later in the summer. Additionally, it will offer products such as meat, farm-fresh eggs, as well as both white and chocolate milk. Black Soil, an organization dedicated to connecting Kentucky growers to local food markets, has been working since December 2023 to convert the Florence Avenue building into a hub for fresh food, after receiving a zone change approval for the location.
Executive Director of Black Soil, Ashley Smith, indicated that the market will allow customers to purchase local produce at discounted prices, due to established relationships with local growers. This pricing strategy aims to encourage more residents to buy fresh food from local sources instead of traveling to distant supermarkets. Area residents currently have to make long trips to stores like Kroger, Walmart, or Sav-A-Lot to fulfill their grocery needs, as these markets are not within walking distance.
In support of the establishment of the Farmacy Neighborhood Market, funding and grants were sourced from Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilman James Brown, facilitating the remodeling of the building. This collaborative effort highlights the community’s desire for accessible fresh food options.
Rolanda Woolfork, president of the Georgetown Street Neighborhood Association, has expressed the crucial need for fresh produce availability. Woolfork noted that prior to the pandemic, a local market operated in the area but closed its doors, exacerbating the community’s lack of access to healthy and affordable food. Recognizing this gap, she worked with Black Soil for several years, ultimately bringing the opportunity of the available building to Smith’s attention.
Black Soil has signed a five-year lease for the building, solidifying its commitment to the Georgetown Street area. The opening of the Farmacy Neighborhood Market is anticipated to fulfill the community’s necessity for fresh and locally produced food, effectively combating the challenges of food insecurity that persist in the area.
The introduction of this market is seen as a significant step in the ongoing effort to improve the access of fresh produce to residents. The growing emphasis on local sourcing and community partnerships underscores Black Soil’s mission to enhance the overall food landscape in the region.
As the opening date approaches, local farmers, residents, and supporters are exhibiting enthusiasm, having recognized the potential impact of the market in revitalizing food access in the Georgetown Street community. The efforts made by Black Soil and the collaboration with local leaders aim to ensure that residents can enjoy nutritious food options throughout the year.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com
- Wikipedia: Food Desert
- WDRB
- Google Search: Local Food Access Kentucky
- Business Wire
- Google Scholar: Food Access Louisville
- Louisville Eccentric Observer
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Insecurity
