Milwaukee's Growing Power has announced the grand opening of Growing Power's Deli and Food Market located in the King Commons Development at 2737 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., in Milwaukee.
This community food project was developed in collaboration with the Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation.
"This is one of the most important things to happen in this north side Milwaukee community, where access to fresh and nutritious foods is limited," says Will Allen, farmer, founder and CEO of Growing Power. "The health of the community will definitely improve over time as access to local and sustainably produced natural foods becomes the norm."
As part of King Commons, a development site of mixed-use housing and commercial space, this market is one of the first of its kind in the nation to be located in a food desert community.
"There's not a single supermarket within walking distance. In some of our neighborhoods over 50 percent of the households don't have transportation in the form of a car," says Welford Sanders of the King Drive Economic Development Corporation. "What's lacking is the supply of stores that have a variety of fresh offerings. It's a natural to say let's do a store where we can feature Growing Power produce all year round."
Sanders says local farming and community gardening in urban areas will become essential as transportation prices continue to increase.
The Growing Power's Deli & Food Market aims to establish national model for innovative and active community engagement in the "Good Food Revolution." Menu items are for dine-in or take-out and the venue will feature Growing Power's produce.
The grand opening celebration will take place Monday, Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to noon and is open to the public. Watch OnMilwaukee.com for additional coverage of this project.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
