Indy Fresh Market brings food to food desert

INDIANAPOLIS — On the east side of Indianapolis, there was an 8-mile radius void of grocery stores. Now a new store, Indy Fresh Market, provides critical access to food in the area.

“As a veteran of foreign wars, I have seen hunger and insecurity in many forms, and I will no longer be on the sidelines — especially in my neighborhood,” said Michael McFarland.

McFarland and Marckus Williams manage the store and will one day take ownership from Cook Medical.

Cook Medical, in partnership with Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana, was planning a $15 million manufacturing facility when it learned that the area was a food desert.

Cook donated the land for the grocery store.

Thanks to collaboration from several organizations, the store became a reality. Plans are in place to carry the concept to other food deserts in the city.

What is a food desert? Areas in a community where access to fresh and nutritious foods such as produce is significantly limited, according to the Indianapolis Community Food Access Coalition.

Around 208,000 Indianapolis residents live in a food desert, and 10,500 live without access to a car or bus to reach grocery stores.

Learn more at indyfreshmarket.com.