COLUMBIA, S.C. — An idea that started in 2017 is now hitting the streets of Columbia. A local small farm is teaming up with the City of Columbia to bring a mobile farmer's market to neighborhoods in the area.
"This is a great step in the right direction and I'm really thrilled with the city for doing this," customer Bob Petrulis said.
Toms Creek Family Farms, located in Hopkins, is bringing fresh foods to neighborhoods all around Columbia, with priority for the targeted 29203 and 29204 areas.
"We are very proud and excited to be able to bring the service to a community that needed that service. We already have the farm and already have the store, so why not meet in between and help the community," said Neset Himket, owner of Tom's Creek Family Farms.
The mobile farmer's market will offer fresh produce, meat, bread, and nonperishables to target food deserts in the area.
"How do you take advantage of all the great vegetables that are grown right here in our community? Working together with small farmers and working with our local businesses to continue to bring opportunities to our community," Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann said.
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, the market welcomed customers for Thursday's first look at Hyatt Park.
"We have a wide variety of people that live here. There are a lot of elderly folks, people who may have mobility issues, may not have access to a car all the time, so bringing the food to them is going to be a big benefit," Petrulis said.
The mobile market will officially open on Monday, March 4, at Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Ave. It will also be open on Tuesdays at Greenview Park, 6700 David St., and Thursdays at Edgewood Library, 2101 Oak St., from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.