Rhodes College Involvement in Community Farmer’s Markets
The Overton Park Community Farmer’s Market
From 2015-2018, the Overton Park Community Farmer’s Market (OPCFM) was dedicated to creating connections between local farmers and community members and increasing food accessibility throughout Memphis. Memphis is considered both the hungriest city in the U.S. and the most obese city in the U.S, as roughly 32% of Memphis’ adult population is considered obese. The OPCFM was dedicated to reducing food inequality in Memphis - making healthy food accessible to all Memphis residents. The market accepted SNAP/EBT benefits as a part of the AARP Fresh Savings Program, which doubles SNAP benefits on fruits and veggies. This insured that all community members had access to the market’s goods.
The Chelsea Ave. Farmer’s Market
Following the disbanding of the OPCFM, Dr. Kasper helped to jumpstart the Chelsea Ave. Farmer’s Market in early 2019. Dr. Kasper helped to grow the market’s infrastructure, improve vender recruitment, and build the market’s SNAP/EBT benefit program. The Chelsea Ave. Farmer’s Market is dedicated to creating a “shared space for local farmers, neighborhood growers, and community craft makers that is rich with economic and retail opportunities”.
The market is located at the intersection of Chelsea Avenue and Springdale Street and is planning to reopen on September 28, 2020.
The Rhodes College dedication to local farmer’s markets was possible due to grants received from both the USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program and Baptist Memorial Health Care Community Program.