LAFAYETTE — As businesses across Acadiana start reopening, keep an eye out for some new ones.
Lafayette's northside will soon welcome a locally owned fresh market.
Fightingville Fresh will be located at the corner of West Simcoe Street and South Pierce Street.
That's where you'll also find Fightingville Fresh co-owner Kevin Ardoin, preparing for what's to come.
"Okra, tomatoes, peppers... all the major produce groups," lists Ardoin.
Opening by June, Fightingville Fresh will be the northside's very first fresh market, selling produce grown at Ardoin's farm.
"It's from your neighbor. It's from the guy that you see every day down the street. He's growing the food, and he's bringing it to you," said Ardoin. "I can harvest out of my garden, and you can have it in a pot or on a plate within 24 hours."
Ardoin started the business with a few other farmers to bring something fresh to the place he calls home.
"With all the grocery stores and stuff closing in this neighborhood, we're all part of the neighborhood, so we thought, 'Well, what better way?' All the stores are leaving, and we're growing food, so why not bring the food where it's needed most," explained Ardoin.
The business owner and his team are now just waiting on approval from planning and zoning, and once that's done, Ardoin says the sky is the limit for Fightingville Fresh.
"We want to have plants that people can take home and grow their own food," said Ardoin. "We want to have classes to teach people how to grow food... not just a market but a community hub."
As the group works to open their business, donations are welcome, whether that be monetary or just volunteering your time.
If you'd like to help out, send a message to the Fightingville Fresh Facebook page.
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