Farmer’s market coming to Glenwood this summer
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) —There will be a new farmers market coming to Glenwood this summer.
A grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture was acquired to turn this dream into a reality.
Farmers markets have become quite the commodity in recent years.
Locals and visitors alike make a day out of it to support the small businesses that run it.
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Members from the LEAD Coalition of Bay County are excited to announce that a farmers market will be coming to the historic neighborhood of Glenwood.
“We’re looking at this as a part of economic development for the Glenwood community to help those small and mid-sized businesses who want to be a part of the market at Glenwood to also increase their business and grow their businesses as well,” LEAD Coalition executive director Janice Lucas said.
It will be located on the corner of Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard and 15th Street.
LEAD Coalition executive director, Janice Lucas said that with help from the historic St. Andrews Waterfront Partnership and the Panama City Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), they were able to get a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
During Saturday’s farmer’s market at the Oaks by the Bay Park located in St. Andrews, Lucas announced to the crowd about the upcoming Glenwood market.
“We’re planning a festive farmer’s market with entertainment goods, vegetables, and the opportunity to just hang out and enjoy each other, as well as helping businesses from the Glenwood community to grow and prosper,” Lucas said.
The grant is for $277,000 for three years.
The reason Glenwood is receiving the farmers market is because it’s classified as a food desert.
A food desert is an area that has poor access to affordable and nutritious food.
“St. Andrews and Glenwood were food deserts because of Hurricane Michael. The grocery outlet wasn’t back open yet. Now St Andrew’s is no longer a food desert, but Glenwood still is. If you drive through Glenwood, there’s no grocery stores, there’s no place to really buy fresh food,” Historic St. Andrews Waterfront Partnership Executive Director Lisa Barnes-Tapscott said.
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The Glenwood Farmers Market will act as a food hub for the community.
Fresh fruits and vegetables will be offered alongside retail options as well.
Lucas says the lead coalition is currently in the process of doing surveys with residents to find out what other businesses they would like to see.
“That’s an opportunity to get fresh foods in and produce some vegetables in the urban community,” Lucas said.
The Glenwood farmers market is expected to open up in June 2024.
The LEAD Coalition will soon be offering vendor applications on their website.
To contact the coalition, click here.
