PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A new farmers market is bringing fresh food to those in need. The Lealman Farmers Market opens once a month on Sundays, offering fresh produce to people who may struggle to find it elsewhere.
One vendor at the market is Seminole Bee Farms. Alejandra Pedroza, co-owner, shares that it’s about community support. “We are neighbors selling products to another neighbor,” she says, highlighting the close-knit feeling of the market.
The team at Seminole Bee Farms relocates bees for safety and then harvests their honey to sell at the market. Slobo Djordjic, also a co-owner, emphasizes the quality of their products: “People can get their fresh products, and they won’t have preservatives.”
For Lealman residents, fresh options are hard to find. As Amy Cianci from the Lealman Exchange notes, “There is a lack of available fresh and healthy foods.” Many local stores do not offer nutritious choices, making it challenging for those without transport.
Lealman qualifies as a food desert, and this situation makes accessing fresh food even tougher. “We need fresh fruits, we need local shopping. It brings us all together,” says Cianci.
Recognizing the critical need for accessible food, Cianci started the market in October. She explains, “People still struggle; there are those living with tarps on roofs or trees they can’t afford to remove. Our work continues.”
Both Cianci and Djordjic see growth potential for the market. Djordjic observes, “Many families come in, a lot of them are walking.” Cianci adds, “This energy is exactly what our community needs.”
With this initiative, the Lealman Farmers Market aims to provide fresh food and foster a sense of community—making a real difference in the lives of its residents.
Check out this related article: Discover the Latest Laramie County Health and Food Inspection Results (Feb 17-23, 2025): What You Need to Know!
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