A new farmers market called Farmacy: Community Farm Stop opened on 641 Crawford Road in Rock Hill. Jonathan Nazeer, CEO and founder of Victory Garden’s International, opened its doors in hopes of sharing their mission through community redevelopment.
“It starts with our history and mission. So our mission was to spearhead community redevelopment through urban farming, food production, food access, and job creation, specifically in low-wealth communities across the globe. We started right here in our own community, with products at the south side,” Nazeer said.
Nazeer said he wants to help end food apartheid and with major health concerns affecting his community.
“What we realized was that we live in a food apartheid, and we use the term food apartheid versus food deserts because deserts are naturally created–apartheids through systematic systems and policies–and so folks just didn’t have a place to eat,” Nazeer said. “It’s one of the reasons why so many people in our community have such tremendous health disparities, such as high blood pressure, hypertension, and diabetes, myself included with being a type two diabetic.”
Nazeer, who grew up on a farm, didn’t expect to have a hand in the farming business.
“I grew up on a farm in North Carolina and I swore that when I left that farm, I would never stick my hand in soil again,” Nazeer said. “And here I am growing and providing an opportunity for local farmers who are in probably more rural parts of the county, to have a safe and decent place where they can come and bring their products year round.”
Farmacy sells coffee, jewelry, and records alongside the fresh produce.
“We’re a hub for all beings good, and so now we have not just farmers, but those who produce food, canned foods, breads, pastries, jewelry, soaps, and candles and all of those (people) have a place where they could sell that product.” Nazeer said, “And because we’re in a predominantly African American community, we also wanted to make sure we capture the cultural nuances of this community as well and make people of the community feel like they have a decent and a safe place to hang out at and enjoy good food and company as well.”
The store is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday And 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. They will have a grand opening on April 20.
“We plan on having a good time on the 20, and not only the grand opening for our Farmacy Community Farm Stop, but also the grand opening for our innovation garden, which is about 200 feet away at Emmett Scott, where we produce leafy greens and aeroponic leaves. And it’s really about trying to spark some interest around agriculture, good food and future opportunities related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and more innovative ways from an urban production standpoint as well,” Nazeer said.
Hana Nazeer and Jada Rosby, Nazeer’s daughter and niece, also work at Farmacy.
“My parents have started this business, so I have been adapting to it, since I’m here by relation. It’s been pretty cool to witness and see how all of this has been developing,” Hana Nazeer said.
While Hana is excited to see her parent’s business grow, she admits she is nervous about it at the same time.
“It feels nerve-racking and exciting at the same time,” Hana said. “Since they’re in the community, everybody knows my parents, but it’s amazing at the same time because it almost feels like they’re famous since everyone knows them.”
Hana is a student and working part-time at Farmacy, and she said that the job fits into her schedule well.
“It’s been good since I can come here right after school and I’m close to the rec center,” Hana said. “And I’m so close to home, so it’s been really good.”
Rosby began working at Farmacy after coming back from school in Texas.
“I got the job right on the spot after recently coming back home from school,” Rosby said.
“I was just trying to find a job, so when I heard what my uncle was doing and helping the community out with local produce and goods I was down for it–and throughout the last few weeks I’ve noticed some amazing people and seen amazing progress, and a lot of people are very excited for it,” she said.
Rosby emphasized the importance of the impact that Farmacy will have on the community.
“I never get to see this part of the community, that’s why I really enjoy working here. You don’t really see a lot of black cafes,” Rosby said. “It’s absolutely incredible, it’s like a goldmine over here,” she said. “My uncle’s doing an amazing job, his wife is doing an amazing job, and as long as we keep putting in the work, we can definitely hold this down together.”
