Everyone should have access to fresh fruit and other healthy alternatives. On just about every corner there’s a convenience store that offers a variety of sweet treats and other snacks. But, fresh fruit markets are not as plentiful. That’s why Dr. Kenneth Robinson started the South Memphis Farmers Market on the northeast corner of South Parkway East and Mississippi Blvd. A $250,000 grant from the Plough Foundation is funding renovation of that site. As part of the renovation efforts, a new covered area will be built to serve vendors and renovate the existing building.

Robinson also was recently appointed the public health policy advisor for Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell, Jr. As policy advisor, he will be responsible for advising and offering suggestions related to numerous healthcare initiatives for Shelby County. Some of the issues he will be addressing in his health policy role are ways to reduce infant mortality in Shelby County, ways to combat obesity in our community and to build partnerships that will strengthen efforts to control the spread of HIV.

“I have a career-long, personal and professional commitment toward reducing racial and ethnic health disparities,” Robinson, who also serves as pastor at St. Andrew AME Church, said. “I have an interest which is always in the forefront of the advice I provide and the initiatives I catalyze and lead as a public health physician. Indeed, the epicenter of those disparities often rests in communities like the one I serve in South Memphis. I’m clear that – as both physician and pastor – I’m called to “heal the land.”.

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For our speical web-only content, Rosalind Guy sat down with Dr. Kenneth Robinson, the health policy advisor for Shelby County to discuss health initiatives and why he founded the South Memphis Farmer’s Market.

The South Memphis Farmer’s Market was founded in 2010 by Dr. Kenneth Robinson, South Memphis residents, The Works, Inc. and the University of Memphis. The first project of the South Memphis Revitalization Action Plan, the Market’s mission is dedicated to providing access to healthy and affordable foods in the South Memphis community as well as creating an atmosphere that contributes to the success of local growers and producers.

Robinson touts the market as an “incredibly important intervention in a previously identified urban food desert.” The food market experienced its inaugural season from July to September last year. Weekly attendance averaged 250 to 300 people.

When the market first opened on the corner of South Parkway and Mississippi Boulevard, the space was considered a temporary site for the market, but it has since been donated to SMFM for its permanent use.

The 2011 season began on April 27th and runs through October 27th, open every day from noon until 6:00 pm.

South Memphis Farmer’s Market: http://somefm.org

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