Efforts are underway to bring a year-round fresh food market to Youngstown.

If completed, this will be the first market of it's kind within city limits and will help bring relief to a city that has struggled to attract and maintain grocery stores, and provide access to fresh produce to it's residents.

According to the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, the non-profit organization is currently renovating the Glenwood Avenue Plaza located at 2915 Glenwood Avenue. 

YNDC said in a social media post, "we are renovating the vacant retail plaza into a modern retail facility with multiple units for neighborhood serving businesses. The Glenwood Fresh Market will be one of the first businesses to go in."

According to the YNDC, the market will provide year-round access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy food items for low-income residents. The Market will also provide space for cooking demonstrations, nutrition education, and health screenings.

YNDC purchased the Glenwood Avenue Plaza in January.

In June, the Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley awarded more than $100,000 in grant money to be used towards the fresh market.

In addition to the grant provided by Mercy Health, YNDC recently received more than a half-million dollars from the United States Department of Agriculture. This money is directed toward offering fresh locally-grown produce, in order to provide relief from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The vacant space was built in 1951 and includes 12,000 square-feet. There are no specific details yet on when the market will open or what kind of retail will fill the remainder of the building.