You've heard the saying "You are what you eat." And if that's true, then about 500 people want to make you a better person.
Once a week, the downtown Gainesville farmer's market is full of fun, fresh food and farmers.
"Really the object is to connect people with the source of their food directly and to provide a much healthier alternative then what our grocery stores offer," says farmer Noah Shitama.
Shitama grows a lot of stuff on his farm, including carrots and a couple of different kinds of lettuce. He sells them at a farmer's market now but his plan is to soon be able to sell them at a co-op.
"We're trying to build up a system of trusted local growers who we know their farming practices and methodologies so that anyone who comes in can trust the food they get from there. It comes from a local source and good people," says Shitama.
Gretchen McIntyre, one of the co-op's founders, says it'll be called the "citizens co-op." It's set to open April 17th in South Gainesville.
The membership will cost 100 dollars.
There are already 500 members.
While you don't have to be a member to shop there, members will get a say in how it's run. They'll also get a cut of the profits.
McIntyre hopes it not only stimulates the local economy, but gives people healthier food than they'll find in grocery stores but with grocery store convenience.
"You can only access the farmer's market one or two days a week at different locations around town so this will give you access to the local farmers and local food products seven days a week."
One farmer says there will be healthier options for the consumer. The co-op's creator says it will also feature a kitchen incubator. That means that if someone has an idea for a food product they'd like to sell they can bring in the recipe or idea and get help with developing a brand, a label, and various services that are necessary to get the product to the marketplace.