When the city of Kissimmee discussed last month ways to make groceries available in downtown, adjacent to where people moving into new housing complexes in the area, one of the ways was to create a cooperative space where they could be sold — a downtown grocery store with more.
A part of that discussion was making a Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) program a part of it. A CSA is a program where community members buy shares of crops or goods of local farmers and producers ahead of time. Members pay before the season starts so the farmers and producers have funds needed to plant and produce, and can focus on growing high quality food because they are guaranteed selling their harvest.
Members pick up their shares during the season, typically weekly. Other products supplied by local artisans and small businesses include farm fresh eggs, dairy, honey, bakery items, and may be added to a member share based on supply. Some of the local growers include familiar names like Mick Farms in St. Cloud.
Kiss Kornucopia, a Kissimmee-based nonprofit, is one of those operating locally. Its next harvest season will begin in November and run through May 2024.
The “Kiss Grocery” is part of its vision within five years in downtown Kissimmee: It would include a social area, comprehensive community grocery store and space for local chefs to show off their own specialties, in lieu of having their own restaurant.
The share cost comes out to about $28 per week, the group says, half-shares are available every other week, and pickup will be on Wednesdays between 4:307 p.m. in the UCF Incubator parking lot at 400 Emmett Street (Emmett and Ruby Avenue).
Information on becoming a participant— and a produce vendor — is available at its website, kisskornucopia.com.
