Congressman Eric Sorensen visits South Peoria to see Market 309 firsthand

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Peoria City Councilwoman Denise Jackson had a federal lawmaker come to a South Peoria park in an effort to get federal funding to help with the area’s food insecurity.

Jackson, who represents South Peoria on the council, asked U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen to come Sunday to Trewyn Park to see what Market 309 is all about and in turn, see if the lawmaker could find some money to address the area’s “food desert” in the 61605 ZIP code.

Market 309 sells fruits and vegetables at discount prices, and in a food desert like the south side that kind of nutrition is not available at convenience stores.

The Rockford Democrat commended the market’s leaders for their positive impact on Peoria’s underserved communities. He also met with leaders from Peoria Grown, an organization focused on addressing food insecurity by providing access to and education on affordable healthy foods.

“People want to come and spend their hard-earned dollars. But you know what? When you can go over here and get a bag of radishes for $1, or you can go over there to for $1, for two cucumbers, it means something. It means something to all the people here who, while they may struggle, they want to be able to provide,” Sorensen said.

Market 309 is open every Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Trewyn Park pavilion.