A Simpler Place has received a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to grow its mission of promoting the local, organic and slow food movement. Based in Riverview, the farm and market that curates subscription-style produce boxes for the community on a weekly basis has been around for five years.
Fueled by a desire to repair her relationship with food, owner Renee Watley started A Simpler Place inside a small shed. But it’s since morphed into a place where area farmers can sell their sustainably grown produce, alongside items from Watley’s own farm.
The USDA award will allow A Simpler Place to do a couple of things: 1) Expand the hours of its store (translation: more local and organic goodness for the masses). And 2) Further its partnership with Suncoast Compost, which includes a robust agritourism program that offers opportunities like classes for kids and adults, summer camps and other special events.
The store at A Simpler Place, where a cafe is also found, operates 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
“Our goal is to grow community through food,” according to a news release from the farm and market. “We are excited for the recognition and support this grant from the USDA provides.”
This article appears in Dec 13-20, 2018.