Farmers' Market

The Neighborhood Farmers' Market (NFM) was initiated when the Northwest Neighborhoods and the Charlotte REACH 2010 Project teamed up to increase access to healthy foods and encourage better eating habits while stimulating neighborhood economy and social interaction. At the inception of the Charlotte REACH 2010 Project, residents of the Northwest Corridor were eager to increase economic development by providing a safe, highly visible, central location for business vendors to sell.

At the same time, partners of the Charlotte REACH 2010 Project were interested in breaking down environmental barriers to access healthy food. The Neighborhood Farmers' Market Committee was created when neighborhood residents and partners of Charlotte REACH 2010 collaborated to bring their interest and ideas to one table. Committee partners include the Mecklenburg County Health Department, the Fighting Back Program, Healthy Families Healthy Communities, Charlotte REACH 2010 Lay Health Advisors, and Neighborhood Leaders from Dalebrook, Garden Park, and University Park Neighborhood Associations.

The Committee worked to recruit vendors, advertise to visitors, market special events such as cooking demonstrations, provide health education, services, and incentives and expand and sustain the market through community involvement. The Lay Health Advisors assisted through distribution of materials, recruitment of vendors, and staffing.

In 2004, with the continued support of the Charlotte REACH 2010 project, the coordination of the Neighborhood Farmers' Market was transitioned to the University Park Neighborhood Association. This partnership was established in an effort to demonstrate community ownership and development.

Check out the Farmers' Market on the grounds of the Beatties Ford Rd. Health Department (2845 Beatties Ford Road) Opening May 6, 2006, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

For more information about the market or becoming a vendor, contact: Hattie Anthony @ 432-2010