Geraldson Community Farm and Manatee Health Department Receive Grant to Fund Mobile Farmers

BRADENTON – Geraldson Community Farm and the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County (DOH-Manatee) have been awarded a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop a mobile farmers’ market. The market, set to launch in February 2016, will accept SNAP EBT and will sell healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, throughout Manatee County food deserts.

Food deserts are defined by the USDA as areas with low access to healthy foods. "In Manatee County, only 24% of residents live within a half mile of a healthy food source", says Dr. Jennifer Bencie, Administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County.

"Due to low access, our residents are not able to eat enough fruits and vegetables and, consequently, over 61% of Manatee County adults are overweight or obese."

The mobile market will be housed in an air-conditioned bus and will feature produce and goods from local farmers and businesses. According to Christa Leonard, Manager of Geraldson Community Farm, "we are excited about the opportunity to support our community of food producers. Not only will this market increase healthy options in communities that don’t have many healthy choices, we will also support the economic development and sustainability of small businesses."

The mobile market initiative is the result of a one-year study conducted by DOH-Manatee. The study, which focused on the food desert communities of Palmetto, Rubonia, East Bradenton, Pine Village, and Samsoset, identified residents’ barriers and proposed solutions for accessing and eating more fruits and vegetables. The mobile market’s operation schedule, food selection, and educational programming will be planned with input from food desert residents.

”We are very excited about the opportunities that will come to Manatee County because of the pursuit of these funds. We look forward to working with the agencies involved,“ said Brenda Rogers, Director of Community Services for Manatee County.

For more information, contact Megan Jourdan with the Florida Department of Health at (941) 720-0049 or megan.jourdan@flhealth.gov.