Local Farm-Fresh Produce Available at JTA’s Rosa Parks Transit Station
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) and the I’m A Star Foundation held a press conference this morning to launch the “Rosa Parks Produce Market”. JTA and I’m A Star have teamed up to offer fresh fruits and vegetables to customers who may reside in an area considered a “food desert”, which means the person has to travel more than a mile from home for groceries.
As part of this effort, I’m A Star will operate a weekly market featuring healthy, fresh and local produce for sale at Rosa Parks Transit Station starting on Friday, July 15.
Rosa Parks Produce Market Hours of Operation:
- Fridays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The market features produce from Florida farmers, including Whitehouse Farms. Fresh juicy berries, peaches and leafy greens, including collards are available for purchase. Acceptable forms of payment are cash, credit cards and EBT cards.
"We are excited to partner with I’m A Star to provide our customers the opportunity to purchase fresh food at a convenient location,” said JTA Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. “This ceremony marks the beginning of a partnership to empower Jacksonville’s citizens to live healthier, longer and stronger lives.”
Ford is optimistic that a program like this might encourage people who might not utilize the JTA system to actually take a bus to Rosa Parks in order to access fresh fruits and vegetables.
Rosa Parks Transit Station is a convenient backdrop for a market to help battle those food deserts in our community. The market also supports Mayor Curry’s vision of Journey to One which encourages residents to build and adopt better eating habits for better health.
“Since 2012, students in the I’m A Star Foundation have been resolute in their quest to eradicate food deserts and to make Jacksonville one of America’s healthiest cities,” said Betty Seabook Burney, Executive Director of I’m A Star Foundation. “This phenomenal partnership with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority allows our solution-oriented students to provide an invaluable service to JTA’s patrons.”
