The Challenge
East Fort Worth has some of the lowest mortality rates in Texas. Many of the neighborhoods within these zip codes lie within an identified USDA food desert or are considered low-access areas. The region is 72 square miles and counts for 20% of Fort Worth's population. Within this area are 3 supermarkets and 5 discount grocery stores. Hypertension, diabetes, and depression have been entrenched social determinants of health plaguing East Fort Worth.
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Access to healthy food is limited and traveling to local markets can be difficult for residents limited to public transit options. Though, there is a small network of urban farms operating in the area through Grow Southeast, the lack of a centralized local market to conduct business limits their ability to effectively serve the communities they reside in. There is a lack of cultural representation at most of the farmer's markets in North Texas. This trends is also present with activities, products, and services that alleviate the social determinants of health for communities of color.
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Our Response
In partnership with Texas Wesleyan University, CoAct created the Mindful Market to increase food access in East Fort Worth. To address the lingering social determinants of health, the market aligns to the diverse communities that inhabit the area by hosting demonstrations, and highlighting local vendors that prioritizes vendors that bring culturally relevant activities, products, and services that aid in supporting mindfulness.
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Market Mission
The Mindful Market increases food access, cultivates mindful practices, and celebrates the diverse foods, services, businesses, and communities calling East Fort Worth home.
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Market Vision
An East Fort Worth renown for it's authenticity, quality of life, and diversity.
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Market Objectives
1) Increase food access, especially to locally grown fruits and vegetables.
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2) Explore and exemplify cultural representation.
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3) Amplify small, local businesses, farms, and organizations, especially those represented by communities of color.
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4) Increase access to services and practices that support mindfulness.
Our Partners:
This project would not have been possible without support from the following partners and funders.
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