With the opening of the Homewood Community Farmers Market on June 4, grocery shoppers are once again able to have access to a variety of organic and home grown fruits, vegetables and products right in their neighborhood.
According to a press release, residents are able to use federal food assistance benefits and/or credit/debit cards to easily buy fresh local food. Adults and families who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, are encouraged to utilize and support the farmers’ market by purchasing fruits, vegetables, plant starters, meat, dairy, bread, and other eligible foods.
The Black Urban Gardeners and Farmers of Pittsburgh co-op was created out of the need to unite Black Urban Agriculturalist in Pittsburgh for support, and to dismantle the systemic racism that infiltrates the communities. This is a newly formed grassroots organization that has brought together a collective group of Black gardeners and farmers to work together to solve challenges that Blacks face in Pittsburgh as Urban Growers and Farmers. The group is composed of 25 members thus far and they strongly promote, and encourage new membership.
This Farmers Market will provide a healthy resource for the residents of Homewood and surrounding communities.
Hunger is a persistent issue in Homewood-Brushton and the entire state. African Americans participating in the SNAP program account for over 44.2 percent. Those families With Children under 18 years 45.3 percent and below poverty level 57.5 percent. All of these factors contribute to the disbursements of SNAP benefits each month. Despite this nutrition assistance, many people still cannot afford healthy fresh food—SNAP benefits generally cover less than half the cost of an average meal. The Homewood Community Farmers Market intends to help low-income shoppers stretch their benefits and put more fresh fruits and vegetables on their families’ tables. It also attracts new customers to the market who otherwise might not consider shopping there.
In addition, to providing a source of affordable, healthy, local food to low-income community members, farmers markets bolster local economies, improve community health, and bring diverse groups of people together through a shared social space.
The Homewood Community Farmers Market is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Parking lot of the House of Manna Worship Center, 7420 Frankston Ave. Pittsburgh, Pa. 15208.
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