hub city farmers market projects

Spartanburg, SC

Spartanburg, SC

• In 2006 the CDC reported that 70 % of our residents were overweight or obese.

•More than 12 percent of County residents are food insecure.

• 77% of Spartanburg adults don’t eat the recommended servings of fruits and veggies.

Our History

Mission: To increase the demand and availability of healthy food in Spartanburg County.

2005: The Farmers’ Market

• Producer-only market w/ over 30 participating vendors.

• Average of 689 customers each Saturday.

• Surveys show that gross sales at the Farmers’ Market could equal $303,723 (if year-round)

• Projected economic impact = $607, 446

Community Food Assessment

WHY:To create a document that would serve as a roadmap for HCFM and other organizations. Rates and landscape suggested food deserts existed in Spartanburg but there was no concrete data.

Community Food Assessment

HOW:USC Upstate’s Metropolitan Studies Institute conducted the study.

Five areas were studied and represented the city as a whole

Inman Boiling Springs Pacolet Woodruff Northside of the City of Spartanburg

Community Food Assessment

HOW (cont.): Study was limited to identifying the prevalence of

grocery stores and fresh food outlets relative to fast food outlets and convenience stores.

A list of food service establishments was obtained from DHEC as well as an on-foot survey. Establishments were divided into five groups: Fast Food Restaurant, Formal/Non-Fast Food Restaurant, Grocery Stores, Specialty Stores and Other.

A Retail Food Environment Index (RFEI) was calculated by dividing the total number of fast food and convenient stores by the total number grocery stores and produce vendors. A RFEI of 5 or above is considered “high.”

*Produce vendors had to be open at least once a week, year-round to count in the study.

Community Food Assessment

Area # of Fast Food Restaurants

# of Convenience Stores

Grocery Stores

Produce Vendors

RFEI

Inman 15 7 3 0 7.33

Boiling Springs

26 10 5 0 7.20

Pacolet 2 3 2 0 2.50

Woodruff 8 5 2 0 6.50

City of Spartan-burg

85 34 14 0 8.50

Mission: 2010

To increase the demand and availability of healthy food in Spartanburg County. By working to change food-related policies and environments, we hope to eliminate barriers such as access, cost and education.