COLLINS CENTER        Overtown Community

Fresh produce is sold at the market.

On March 24, Roots in the City, a nonprofit community-based organization, held a soft opening of its growers-only farmers market in Overtown.

The market, located on the corner of NW 2^nd Ave. and 10^th Street, is a collaboration between the Wholesome Wave Foundation, Michaels' Genuine Food & Drink, The Human Services Coalition and the Roots in the City, which is in a partnership with the Collins Center for Public Policy. The market makes fresh produce affordable to the community while acting as an impetus for its economic development.

Proceeds from the Farmers Market go to the local growers who are selling their produce there. Two of those farms are from the Redlands, "Teena's Pride” and "Bee Heaven Farm.” However, there is also produce sold from "Roots in the City,” which has urban gardens in Overtown. Their Farmers Market profits will go back into Overtown to sustain the urban garden there and create more jobs.

To make the market more affordable for the community's residents, it is part of Wholesome Wave's "Nourishing Neighborhoods” double value coupon program.

HSC volunteer Caitlin Maclaren works the EBT machine (for food stamps).

"We launched this market, where we provide funds to double the value of the food stamps. We think it'll be the glue to make this model stick in the community. We think this is the perfect spot,” said Michael Nischan, president of Wholesome Waves.

Korina Perryman, a lifetime Overtown resident stopped by on the opening day, in search of red pepper to go into her spaghetti sauce. She said purchasing produce at the Farmers Market makes it much more affordable.

"The produce here is much cheaper than Winn Dixie, Publix or Walmart,” Perryman said.

In addition to providing better access to nutritional food through affordability and proximity, the Farmers Market is also working to provide economic development in Overtown.

"This Farmers Market is bringing people from outside of the community into the community to buy fresh produce,” said Dr. Marvin Dunn, who is founder of Roots in the City and an author and retired FIU professor.

The Farmers Market seems to be just the magnet to get people to spend money in the community. Larry Wilson who works as a Longshoreman, but lives in North Miami, said that although he works in Overtown, up until now he has not purchased anything there.

An Overtown resident buys fresh produce from Michael and Teena Borek of 'Teena's Pride.'

"I just passed by and said let me look at what they have,” he said. "I'm going to buy a bunch of collard greens.”

This market is Miami-Dade County's first growers-only markets, meaning all sellers are local farmers. This Farmers Market will be open every Wednesday this month from 1-4 p.m.