West End Farmers Market provides free produce, fresh food in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville nonprofit is guiding a community-led effort to provide fresh food in the west end.

The West End Farmers Market provides free fresh produce and local products twice a month this summer in the California neighborhood.

Taylor Ryan founded Change Today, Change Tomorrow in 2019 to give back to underserved communities in Louisville's west end. Residents in the west end are disproportionately affected by a lack of access to fresh and healthy food options, Ryan wrote in a Change.org petition last year.

West End Farmers Market in California neighborhood.jpg — The West End Farmers Market in Louisville, Ky. on Aug. 11, 2024.

Eneitra Beattie, owner of Greenz N Tingz, said it's important for healthy food to be available for people.

"It's important for me because I live in west Louisville, it's a food disparity in this area," Beattie said. "The options we have are not good."

Ryan, the executive director of Change Today, Change Tomorrow knew there was a need for a farmers market.

"One of the number one things we heard from the neighbors is they wanted to see a farmers market," Ryan said.

The farmers market is currently the only one operating in the city's west end.

On Sunday, there were 100 boxes of fruits and vegetables that were given out to people on a first-come, first-served basis.

"We're providing free locally sourced produce," Ryan said.

People also receive cooking instructions for the produce and chefs are on-hand at the farmers market ready to show off food demonstrations.

The farmers market also promotes local businesses and vendors in the west end like Beattie.

"I'm very excited about promoting healthy, good eating," Beattie said. "To have access, to help people gain access to healthy living is what I feel like my duty living in Louisville."

Zaire Goodall, a senior at Louisville Male High School, has attended the farmers market twice this summer.

"Everyone is so grateful, they always come back. You meet a lot of great people coming here," Goodall said. "The vendors always have something new to provide, I like to see that and support."

The next West End Farmers Market is scheduled for Aug. 25 from 4 to 8 p.m. The final one of the summer will be Sept. 8.

To learn more or donate to Change Today, Change Tomorrow, click here.

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