Connecting Communities: METRO Partners With Acres Homes Farmers Market

From going to work, school or even buying groceries, METRO is a vital service to connect residents to important resources and opportunities.

The agency is proud to partner with the Acres Homes Farmers Market to help residents gain access to healthy foods. Acres Homes is considered a food desert, meaning there are very few grocery stores in the area that provide fresh produce.

Sheba Roy, Acres Homes Farmers Market Manager, says many residents have to travel several miles to find full-service grocery stores. 

“Transportation is definitely a barrier for some residents,” Roy said. “Not everyone in Acres Homes has access to a personal vehicle, and walking long distances or relying on others for rides can limit how often people are able to attend the farmers market. That's why having convenient public transportation options is so important for this event.”

The market offers a variety of fruits and vegetables, artisan goods, baked items, homemade products, and wellness services.  It also sometimes features cooking demonstrations, health screenings, and educational activities.

A local chef does a cooking demonstration at the Acres Homes Farmers Market.

Many Acres Homes residents rely on METRO to move around their community.

“We've heard positive feedback from residents who use METRO to get to the farmers market,” Roy said. “Some attendees have said that without METRO, they likely wouldn’t be able to visit the market regularly. They appreciate having a safe, reliable way to access fresh food and community events.”

Roy says METRO has played a huge role in connecting people to not only the market, but with healthcare and job opportunities.

“Public transportation helps overcome the major barrier of limited personal vehicle access and helps ensure that people can participate in events like the farmers market, attend medical appointments, and shop for daily needs,” said Roy. “By making the community more connected, METRO directly supports the health, wellbeing, and economic mobility of Acres Homes residents.”

To plan your route to the Acres Homes Farmers Market or other Houston area destinations, download the RideMETRO app.