SAN ANTONIO - The Avenida Guadalupe neighborhood on San Antonio's West Side falls into the category of a food desert, meaning people living there don't have reasonable access to fresh, nutritious, and affordable foods.

  • Fresh produce at affordable prices
  • Several challenges for founders
  • Can help nearly 1,200 people

The People's Nite Market is an attempt to help alleviate the problem.

"We are creating access, because there is not a grocery store within a mile," said the market's co-founder, Jovanna Lopez. "I just think this community has been very disenfranchised for a long time. I don't really know what the solution is to helping everybody, but this is mine and Valeria's (her co-founder) contribution to try and help our community."

While the market does provide fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as eggs and other natural choices, Lopez says they did have speed bumps.

"We can't find farmers to come, so who do farmers sell to when they're not selling at a farmer's market? A wholesaler," she said.

The market used money provided by Woodforest National bank through a grant to the Avenida Guadalupe Association and partnered with River City Produce to make sure foods would be sold at an affordable price, including some which is distribution free of charge.

"With that money we're able to provide organizations within [ZIP code] 78207 free produce every Monday," said Lopez.

The People's Nite Market has a variety of local vendors, with some bringing goods and services, rather than food, and has the potential to reach the roughly 1,200 families in Avenida Guadalupe, but everyone is welcome to attend.

"It's not about me, it's not about you, it's about everybody just coming together and just live a happier life."

The market will open twice more in October, as well as three dates in November, and one Thursday in December. You can find more information on the The People's Nite Market Facebook page.