Farm Fresh Market opens in food desert

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Dec. 18 grand opening of Farm Fresh Market in the community of South Kansas City celebrated the addition of a grocery store in an area that is considered a food desert.

Mayor Quinton Lucas addressed the need for this public-private partnership that brings economic development to the area.

“We are bringing millions of dollars of economic development to our community, and we're building jobs right here in South Kansas City," he said.

“Kansas City is committed to your neighborhoods, and Kansas City is committed to making sure that you have all of the great things — grocery options, shopping and parks — just like everybody else around us," Lucas continued. "We do not need to drive to Leawood, Kan., to get food. We do not need to go somewhere else. We don't have to see big development everywhere else in the city. We can see it right here."

Farm Fresh Market partner and manager Moe Muslet thanked the community and emphasized the store's commitment to quality and service.

“We are excited to offer fresh, quality groceries at affordable prices and are dedicated to treating our customers like families," Muslet said. "This is just the beginning of our journey, and we are committed to becoming a trusted part of this community, bringing you the best in quality, value and service every day.”

City council members celebrated the store's impact on the community and acknowledged city officials' efforts.

“We talk a lot about public-private partnership, and I always have to ask, ‘what are we incentivizing and who actually benefits?' I think with a grocery store, it's very clear who benefits," said Councilman Jonathan Duncan.

"Look around. One thing that I know about Kansas City is that we are doggedly loyal, and we are doggedly loyal to the things that matter to us," Duncan added. "We are happy to put our money where our mouth is when it matters to our community. And there's nothing that matters to our community more than showing and showing up and showing out for something like a grocery store that actually benefits our neighborhoods.”

Carlos Gomez, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, said it is great to see the public and private sector working together.

"I do want to also say to the Musallet family, who we know very well at the Hispanic Chamber — they are good to community," Gomez said. "They invest in community.” (The market will be operated by Moe Muslet and his cousin, Eddie Musallet.)

Over the past eight months, more than $6.5 million has been invested into the former Sun Fresh store's transformative renovation, according to a news release put out by the Red Bridge Shopping Center where the grocer is located. The store, at 11212 Holmes Road, underwent infrastructure improvements and a layout redesign.

At Red Bridge Farm Fresh Market, the produce department will feature a wide selection, and each department will bring its own unique offerings to position the store as a true destination, the release said.

“These departments are central to our store's focus,” Moe Muslet said in the release. “Farm Fresh Market will be a full-service grocery store that enhances the shopping experience well beyond what was offered by the previous store.”

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