Orlando’s getting another grocery store. Big whoop, right? Well, this one’s a little different. There are no grocery bills to worry about, no weekly specials to chase down and, most importantly, no price tag standing between shoppers experiencing financial instability and their next meal.
Welcome to Parramore Market, a new nonprofit-run grocery store bringing free food and a much-needed alternative to a neighborhood that has spent years struggling with access to fresh, affordable groceries.
The market officially opened its doors last week at 536 N. Westmoreland Drive in the Parramore neighborhood, offering residents a place to fill their carts without spending a dime. Operated by the Desire Foundation, the “micro-grocery” store offers everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to meat, dairy, bread and household essentials.
Unlike traditional food pantries, where recipients often receive prepackaged boxes, Parramore Market allows shoppers to browse the aisles and choose what they actually want to bring home.
For Desire Foundation founder Jennifer Hilaire, the market is about giving families the freedom to make their own choices — something she believes shouldn’t be treated as a privilege.
“I feel like sometimes we treat giving food to people as a privilege, as a charity,” Hilaire told News 6, “when food is a right.”
Residents in Parramore have long struggled with its limited access to affordable, nutritious food. Without reliable transportation, many have had to depend on convenience stores and gas stations or travel outside of the neighborhood to reach a full-service supermarket.
This is not a new problem. Back in 2014, Orlando Weekly reported on efforts to bring healthier food options to Parramore, where a lack of nearby supermarkets had already prompted local organizations to develop everything from mobile farmers to fresh-produce initiatives at convenience stores.
More than a decade later, the need for better grocery access remains.
The Desire Foundation has been working to address that need since 2020 and started with community meal distributions before expanding its efforts through Project 814, a food distribution initiative that’s provided hundreds of thousands of pounds of food.
It hasn’t been easy. Earlier this year, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $170,000 in proposed state funding that would have helped the foundation purchase groceries and a truck to transport food. Nevertheless, the project moved forward with the support from local organizations and community partners.
The foundation also offers access to an on-site clinic, computer lab and assistance navigating services such as Medicare and Medicaid, making the market something of a one-stop community resource hub.
As for who gets to shop, the market is open to all Central Florida residents. Shoppers simply need to register for a free market card, which allows two visits per month.
Parramore Market is open Wednesdays (senior shopping day only) and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents can register for a card online through The Desire Foundation or in person, and the organization is accepting donations and volunteers to help keep the shelves stocked.
“No one in the richest country in the world should have to worry about where their next meal will come from,” said Orlando Rep. Maxwell Frost on the market’s opening day. “And the Parramore Market will help ensure more families can put food on the table.”
