In a step towards improving access to healthy food options, the City of St. Petersburg joined hands with the St. Pete Free Clinic to inaugurate the first FRESH Pace Healthy Neighborhood Store. This groundbreaking initiative paves the way for a healthier St. Pete by ensuring families in underserved areas have access to nutritious food.
The Rajax Food Mart and Meat Mart, situated at 2327 Dr. Martin L. King Jr. St. S., has become the flagship FRESH Pace store. Mayor Kenneth T. Welch, City Council Vice-Chair Deborah Figgs-Sanders, and representatives from the St. Pete Free Clinic celebrated this momentous occasion by congratulating store manager Muhamad "Mike" Jaber.
The FRESH Pace Healthy Neighborhood Store Program, made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, allocates $1.179 million for Food Security. This program aims to incentivize local stores in low-income areas to expand their offerings of healthy food at affordable prices.
Ensuring equitable access to nutritious food is a critical step towards community well-being. The FRESH Pace Healthy Neighborhood Store Program exemplifies how ARPA funds are being harnessed for the greater good. As St. Pete works to extend these initiatives to more neighborhoods, we invite you to join us in our commitment to improving food access and health equity.
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