Houston groups win USDA grant for Third Ward farmers market

The Houston Area Urban League and Rooted Futures won a $250,000 USDA grant to expand the Third Ward Farmers Market in Houston’s historic Third Ward. The year-round market is designed to improve fresh food access, support Texas farmers and small businesses, and create a model other neighborhoods can copy.

Why it matters: - The $250,000 federal grant supports a community-led market in Houston’s Third Ward that aims to close a fresh food gap and strengthen local economic activity. - The project is the only Texas recipient in this year’s USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program round, signaling unusual statewide recognition for a local food-access effort. - The market is built to give small and midsize Texas farms a steadier place to sell while keeping more food dollars in the neighborhood.

What happened: - The Houston Area Urban League and Rooted Futures received $250,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers Market Promotion Program. - The funding will grow the Third Ward Farmers Market, a year-round, producer-to-consumer market in Houston’s historic Third Ward. - The USDA funding round awarded 45 grants nationwide. - The project is rooted in Texas’ 18th Congressional District. - The market opened Oct. 31 at 4435 Old Spanish Trail. - Opening day generated $30,000 in sales for local vendors.

The details: - The total project budget is $312,500. - The market is designed to expand fresh food access for Third Ward families. - The market is also intended to create a reliable sales channel for small and midsize Texas farms. - The project aims to create economic opportunity for local vendors and small businesses. - More than 20 founding vendors participated at opening, anchored by Ivy Leaf Farms. - Local food trucks joined the market on opening day. - Five vendors sold out. - DJ Ingrid performed live during the launch. - After opening day, the market will operate on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Monthly cooking demonstrations will be hosted by Chef Ashley Gibson. - The demonstrations are meant to help shoppers learn how to prepare the fresh food sold at the market. - Community members can get more information at thirdwardfarmersmarket.com.

Between the lines: - The market is being framed as more than a place to shop. Leaders say it also serves as workforce development, agriculture support and community ownership. - The project is designed to be a replicable model for community-led farmers markets across Houston. - Strong opening-day sales suggest local demand for a neighborhood market with regular hours and a mix of vendors. - Supporters say the model keeps dollars circulating locally instead of leaving the neighborhood.

What they’re saying: - Judson W. Robinson III, president and CEO of the Houston Area Urban League, said the market directly addresses the fresh food shortage in the Third Ward and helps create jobs, train growers and vendors, and keep dollars in the community. - Emaan England, co-founder of the market with Sierra Clark, said the team used marketing, tech, business development and communications expertise to build a platform for ongoing investment in Third Ward. - Cortney Robinson Jones, a board member of Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 7, said the market turns investment into a gathering place, a marketplace and a foundation for future Third Ward businesses. - Ivy Lawrence Walls, CEO of Ivy Leaf Farms and a founding anchor partner, said the market gives Texas growers a dependable outlet and a direct relationship with customers. - Kenzel Fallen, CEO of Three Keys Coffee, said local purchasing multiplies the impact for small businesses because money stays in Third Ward.

What’s next: - The market will continue operating twice a month under its current schedule. - Monthly cooking demonstrations are expected to continue as part of the health education component. - The project will aim to deepen vendor participation, shopper turnout and neighborhood investment over time. - Organizers plan to use the market as a blueprint for similar efforts in other Houston neighborhoods.

The bottom line: - A federal grant is helping turn the Third Ward Farmers Market into a permanent community food and business hub, with early sales data suggesting the model has both demand and staying power.