Memphis has flavor.

From the sweet, slow smoke of BBQ and the warm comfort of soul food to the fresh umami of Vietnamese cuisine and the spice of tacos & tamale trucks; so much of Memphis' identity is wrapped up in the diverse foods created and consumed in the city. But more than flavor - Memphis food has convened some of the brightest & boldest minds in our nation's history around movements for social change.

Meanwhile, Memphis sits in the center of an agricultural powerhouse, fueling the nation with its production of commodity crops – soy, cotton, rice, and corn – for export. Historically, that agricultural activity inspired downtown’s growth as commodities were aggregated, sold, and shipped down the Mississippi River. But today – especially in the downtown core – that legacy is largely lost. Italian Truck Farmers that once brought food grown across the region to restaurants no longer visit Main Street, and most of Downtown Memphis is a food desert.

Today, Memphis food entrepreneurs face tight margins and high operating costs that create high barriers to entry and - for those who can start a business - steep obstacles to growth. Not to mention, Memphis loses much of the value of our region's agricultural export. While the Mid-South Delta offers rich soils (literally!) local food bypasses the local economy, where only 10% of the food we eat is grown locally and 1 in 5 Memphians are food insecure.

That's why we're developing Memphis Public Market, a space that not only celebrates our local food culture, but supports Memphis food entrepreneurs - from the farmer to the manufacturer to the chef - with resources to fill these food system gaps atop a thriving, 24-stall marketplace.

And we got lucky on location, too. Located right across B.B. King from The Sterick Building, a 29-story skyscraper with a revitalization in the works by our for-profit partner Constellation Properties, we just acquired 2 historic properties: the 2-story Hill Building and the 5-story Leader Federal Building that will house the future marketplace at 158/164 Madison Avenue. And along the way, we're restoring these historic (but blighted) buildings to their former glory.

Of course, this is a long-term, ambitious project - but we believe that big challenges demand big ideas. Other cities like Memphis have experienced rapid revitalization around public markets - we love Findlay Market in Cincinnati, Boston Public Market, Eastern Market in Detroit, Milwaukee Public Market - the list goes on! With a team of local champions and national experts (who've also worked on the markets I mentioned), HiFi Memphis, the non-profit organization powering this development and the future market, is committed to bringing this new culinary center to life. Your support helps us get there - from the architecture & design and vendor recruitment to the program-building and food system partnerships - every contribution gets us one day closer to giving Memphis its first space to celebrate our deep food legacy.

Support Memphis Public Market today, and make sure to follow along on Instagram @memphispublicmarket and subscribe to exclusive email updates (and event invites!) to supporters at hifimemphis.org.

Cheers,

Mersadies Burch
Executive Director
HiFi Memphis

HiFi Memphis is a registered 501(c)(3) organization (HiFi Memphis Community Development Corporation Inc., EIN: 39-3765135). Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.