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St. Pete Free Clinic reports Fresh PACE results, new 28,000 sq ft food bank and potential Badcock site acquisition
Summary
St. Pete Free Clinic told council its Fresh PACE healthy‑store program is increasing access to affordable produce (survey: 81% no longer need to shop elsewhere) and that a new 28,000 sq ft food bank is distributing roughly 20 million pounds of food annually; the clinic said it is pursuing purchase of the former Badcock Furniture building for expanded services.
Jennifer, representing St. Pete Free Clinic, presented an update to the City Council on the organization’s Fresh PACE healthy‑store program, food‑bank operations and expansion plans.
Fresh PACE partners with neighborhood corner stores to increase healthy inventory and lower prices. Jennifer cited survey results showing 81% of participating customers reported they no longer need to shop elsewhere and 94% said healthy produce was more affordable after joining the program. A store owner told the council produce sales had doubled since joining.
The clinic said it operates a new 28,000‑square‑foot food bank on 31st Street South, distributes about 20,000,000 pounds of food annually (the presenter said this equates to roughly 17,000,000 meals and about $47,000,000 in grocery cost savings), and serves partner sites across Pinellas County with 55 of 115 partner sites located in St. Pete.
Jennifer said the clinic is pursuing acquisition of the former Badcock Furniture building on 22nd Avenue South and Martin Luther King Street to consolidate food and health services under one roof, pending a Development Review Commission special exception and final purchase steps. Council members voiced strong support and asked about ZIP codes with highest need; Jennifer provided a list of frequently served ZIP codes (33705, 33714, 33713, 33712, 33711).
No formal council vote was taken on the acquisition during the meeting; the presenter said the organization will proceed with administrative steps and keep council informed.
