Increasing Food Security in the Neighborhood:

The South Memphis Farmers MarketFood Insecurity

The issue of food insecurity has received increased attention both in Memphis and on a larger scale,

Before the opening of the South Memphis Farmers Market, there was no real source of affordable,

healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables in the community. We know that there are still individuals in the

South Memphis area that still face food insecurity, and efforts continue to expand access to fresh,

nutritious fruits and vegetables in the South Memphis area.

The Works, Inc.

The Works, Inc. is a community development corporation serving South Memphis and the greater

Memphis area. We are dedicated to the holistic renaissance of our community through the provision

of services in areas of housing, economic development, education, and advocacy

(www.theworkscdc.org).

South Memphis Farmers Market

The South Memphis Farmers Market is dedicated to providing access to healthy and affordable foods

in the South Memphis community. We also strive to create an atmosphere that contributes to the

success of local growers and producers (http://somefm.org).

Learning Objectives

• Understanding how anthropology applies to community development projects

• Exploring the relationship between community development efforts and healthy communities

• Exploring the role that improved food access can play in neighborhood health, economic

development, and quality of life

• Improving networking and advocacy skills

• Honing of business plan writing, research and data analysis skills

Application of Objectives

• Applied concepts from coursework (Methods, Applied Anthropology, Medical Anthropology) into

data collection (informal interviews, participant observation, etc.)

• Observed community-based approaches to potential projects through steering committee meetings

for the South Memphis Farmers Market and the South Memphis Revitalization Action Plan

Activities

• Participated in ongoing South Memphis Farmers Market research, including instrument design,

data collection, analysis, and dissemination (August 2012 – October 2012)

• Attended and took notes for South Memphis Farmers Market and SoMe RAP committee meetings

• Assisted with the South Memphis research project for Dr. Lambert-Pennington’s Neighborhood

Development course (August 2012 – December 2012)

• Assisted with South Memphis Farmers Market planning activities

• Assisted with best practices research and design of the South Memphis Farmers Market website

(Spring 2013)

Outputs

• Building a knowledge base through continuation of engaged scholarship and engaged

anthropology

• Tying efforts of other local and national efforts and with those of the Housing and Community

Development Fellows

• Engagement of community members, stakeholders, regional farmers, and others in the effort to

increase access to fresh, healthy food in the Memphis area

Connection to Courses

• Methods in Anthropology

• Anthropological Data Analysis

• Applied Anthropology and Development

• Medical Anthropology

Innovative Impact

The South Memphis Farmers Market has experienced great success in which similar attempts have

failed in other cities and communities. The participatory approach used in the development of the

South Memphis Revitalization Action Plan was important for the sustainability of projects outlined in

the plan (including the South Memphis Farmers Market). University of Memphis faculty continue to

publish about the collaborative nature of SoMe RAP and the research findings from the South

Memphis Farmers Market, and social networks have served as mediums for relaying information

about the strengths and opportunities arising from this model.

Sharing of best practices, including strengths and opportunities for models like this can provide a

model for greater food security through increased access to healthy foods, fresh fruits and vegetables,

more affordable food, improved knowledge and education, and awareness of healthy habits, which can

ultimately lead to better health locally and nationally.

The South Memphis Farmers Market and other projects are a product of the South Memphis

Revitalization Action Plan (SoMe RAP) . SoMe RAP is an effort to transform South Memphis into

one of the region’s premier urban neighborhoods by mobilizing local residents, institutions, and their

allies to implement a comprehensive economic and community development approach that promotes

healthy living, green building and design, public and private development partnerships, and other

goals. SoMe RAP is led by the SoMe RAP Steering Committee, which represents residents and

twenty-two local organizations. (http://theworkscdc.org/somerap/)

The plan is supported by the South Memphis Renaissance Collaborative (SMRC), which includes:

• The Works, Inc.

• St. Andrew AME Church

• The University of Memphis

• The Hyde Family Foundations

• Self-Tucker Architects

• Memphis Regional Design Center

Community Impact

• Continued community engagement and partnership pertaining to the South Memphis Farmers

Market and, recently, community input regarding ideas for green space and increased walkability in

the neighborhood

• Increased awareness of seasonal access to fresh food, information sharing regarding food

preparation and eating habits

• Distribution of over 100 season-end market surveys (two different surveys provided; one for those

who had previously attended the market, and another for those who had never attended the market)

• Weekly performance of participant observation, informal interviewing, and field note-taking used

to triangulate data

• Coincides with other initiatives such as the Green Machine and cooking instruction offered by UT

Extension

• Opportunities to partner with local community gardens, GrowMemphis, and other initiatives within

the HCD Fellowship network

South Memphis Farmers Market: 1400 Mississippi Boulevard The Works, Inc.: 1471 Genesis Circle

Images from the South Memphis Farmers Market; Source: The Works, Inc.

Images from the South Memphis Farmers Market ; Source: The Works, Inc.

Images from the South Memphis Farmers Market ; Source: The Works, Inc.

Future South Memphis Greenline Location

Presented by:Gayle Ozanne

HCD FellowDepartment of Anthropology