County Executive Crowley, Mayor Johnson, Chairwoman Nicholson-Bovell Highlight Innovative Community-Led Food Access Pilot in Milwaukee’s Near West Side
MILWAUKEE – As Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee advance efforts to address food access challenges through the newly established Milwaukee City-County Joint Taskforce to Address the Food Access Crisis, County Executive David Crowley, Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell are highlighting a promising community-led pilot to bring fresh produce products directly into a neighborhood experiencing food access barriers.
Greater Good(s) MKE, in partnership with Near West Side Partners, launched a new “Pay What You Can” fresh produce market inside the lobby of Concordia 27, located at 809 N. 27th Street in Milwaukee. The market is open Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
“Far too many residents continue to face barriers to accessing fresh, healthy, and affordable food, and we know there is no one-size-fits-all approach to solving this challenge. Addressing food access requires innovation, collaboration, and community-driven solutions,” said County Executive Crowley. “By supporting local entrepreneurs and neighborhood partnerships, we can identify solutions that are responsive to community needs and sustainable over the long term. This pilot demonstrates how creative, grassroots efforts can help close gaps in food access while strengthening local economic opportunity in Milwaukee County.”
“The grocery business is transforming, with changes that make healthy food access an ordeal for many people,” Mayor Johnson said. “Rather than just decrying the food access challenges, innovators are trying new approaches. Greater Good(s) is a prime example, and I’m pleased it’s opening on the city’s west side.”
“For Milwaukee neighborhoods, the principle is simple: access to healthy food should not depend on your zip code,” said County Board Chairwoman Nicholson-Bovell. “That’s why we passed a City-County Food Access Taskforce resolution and declared food apartheid a public health emergency this past year. We also invested $2 million in the Concordia 27 project to build a community hub of opportunity and resources. Now, Greater Good(s) MKE’s new ‘pay what you can’ market, rooted in mutual care and dignity, is taking hold in that space. It’s exactly the kind of grassroots solution we’ve been working to support, and I’m excited for the boost it will give to families on the Near West Side and beyond.”
“Access to fresh, healthy food is fundamental to the wellness and quality of life of our neighborhoods. Opening Greater Good(s) MKE at Concordia 27 is a step toward ensuring that residents have convenient access to nutritious foods close to home. We are excited to pilot a new model that responds directly to community needs while creating a welcoming destination that supports healthier families and a stronger Near West Side,” said Lindsey St. Arnold Bell, Executive Director, Near West Side Partners.
“We are excited to reopen Greater Good(s) MKE in the very supportive space of Concordia 27 and are thankful to Near West Side Partners for believing in the vision. We know access to fresh food is essential for everyone. The ‘pay what you can’ model is based on dignity; sharing what we have simply because it’s the right thing to do… for the ‘greater good.’ To me, it’s just one tiny way to share God’s love with each other through good food. Our hope is to purchase and provide mostly local produce eventually,” said Gina Sopa, Owner, Greater Good(s) MKE.
The Greater Good(s) MKE model utilizes a small physical footprint while maximizing community impact, providing fresh produce through an innovative, dignity-centered approach that allows community members to pay what they can afford. The model offers a scalable strategy that could help expand healthy food availability in neighborhoods across Milwaukee County.
The pilot emerged through conversations and collaboration among local partners, including Milwaukee County Economic Development, the City of Milwaukee, UW-Extension Milwaukee County, Near West Side Partners, and Greater Good(s) MKE. After learning about the organization’s mission and food access model, community stakeholders worked to connect the business with available neighborhood space to help bring the concept to fruition. The launch comes as Milwaukee leaders continue examining strategies to address food insecurity and food apartheid, particularly in neighborhoods that have experienced the loss of full-service grocery stores and other food access challenges.
Community members are encouraged to visit the market and learn more about Greater Good(s) MKE at greatergoodsmke.com.
Greater Good(s) MKE Market Information + Hours
- Greater Good(s) MKE Market at Concordia 27
809 N. 27th Street (Lobby)
Milwaukee, WI 53233- Fridays: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Fridays: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
About Greater Good(s) MKE
Greater Good(s) MKE is a community-focused food access small business dedicated to increasing the availability of fresh, healthy foods through innovative and accessible neighborhood-based market models.
About Near West Side Partners
Near West Side Partners is a collaborative organization working to revitalize Milwaukee’s Near West Side neighborhoods through economic development, housing, public safety, and quality-of-life initiatives.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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