Economic Development Enhancing Quality of Life for Northside Spartanburg Residents

(left to right): Alison Mercado, Board Treasurer; Gerod Alison, Board Member; Liberty Canzater, Founder and President; Darrell Thompson, Board Chair and Phyllis Williams, Board Secretary.

The Butterfly Foundation (TBF) announced the grand opening of its new facility which includes the Monarch Café and fresh food store, commercial kitchen and office space located at Harvest Park in the north side community of Spartanburg, South Carolina.

"The Monarch Café and Fresh Food Store is one of the many improvements that are taking place in the Northside of Spartanburg, South Carolina providing healthy vegetables and other food that was not previously available to the local residents," said Larry Knightner, South Carolina HUD Field Office Director. "This is one of the major initiatives that has happened as a result of the $300,000 HUD Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant that enhanced the Spartanburg officials and leaders of the Butterfly Foundation to join the ambitious efforts to transform the Northside of Spartanburg."

Monarch Café and Fresh Food Store located in the front of the facility addresses the needs of the north side community by providing access to healthy foods and job skill training. The site also includes the permanent home of Hub City Farmers Market and Urban Gardens. The total project cost $1.8 million.

The Northside of Spartanburg has the historic distinction of being the lowest income areas in the City of Spartanburg, while also having one of the highest levels of civic engagement. Nearly 64% of the Northside residents live with incomes below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and the median income for a family living in the Northside community is $16,290, less than half the median family income earned countywide.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables in the Market.

Outside view of the Monarch café and Fresh Food Store and Market

The Department of Health and Human Services provided $545,800 Community Economic Development funds and $88,000 from SC Association of Economic Development and The Department of Housing and Urban Development also provided $15,000 in funding to purchase office equipment and furnishings for the construction of the new 4000 sq. ft. building.

The impact on the community is currently being measured by The University of South Carolina by tracking the overall health and shopping habits of the residents within the Northside census tract. Without Community Economic Development funds, and community partnerships, these needed services would not be available.

The Butterfly Foundation is a community based, non-profit, state certified Community Development Corporation that provides permanent housing to chronically homeless and disabled individuals and families in Spartanburg, Greenville and Anderson counties. In addition to housing TBF offers a 15 week Culinary Job Training Program for unemployed, underemployed, previously incarcerated and homeless adults to learn all facets of working in a commercial kitchen. The expansion allows (TBF) to provide access to healthy foods and options in a USDA designated "food desert" in addition to providing job training and opportunities within the community. The Butterfly Foundation is in its 7th year of existence in providing 23 scattered housing sites and graduated 80 culinary students since 2010 while maintaining an 85% job placement rate upon completion of the program.

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