All Faiths Food Bank has announced the upcoming opening of Margie’s Market by All Faiths Food Bank, a choice-style market in Sarasota’s Newtown community designed to increase access to fresh, nutritious food and essential social services for the people who live there.  

Opening March 2026, the market will serve as a pilot to test and refine the new concept, with potential for expansion to other neighborhoods in the future. It is made possible through its first year thanks to a $700,468 grant from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and a long-standing partnership with Goodwill Manasota.

Inside the Goodwill Manasota Job Connection Center at 1781 Dr. Martin Luther King Way, Margie’s Market by All Faiths Food Bank will leverage a strategic co-location to offer neighbors convenient, one-stop access to nutritious food alongside employment and support services in one of Sarasota’s most historically under-resourced neighborhoods. The market will offer grocery-store-style shopping, where neighbors can select foods reflecting their dietary needs, cultural preferences, and household priorities. It also will serve as a hub for wraparound holistic support, connecting people with social services and resources to not only address an immediate crisis but also foster long-term stability and wellness.

Decades of entrenched social, health and economic inequities in the historic Newtown community have contributed to significant barriers to accessing food, healthcare, housing, transportation and other essential services. More than 20 percent of residents are food insecure, with a median income of just $36,600 and nearly 29 percent of families living below poverty.

“As needs continue to rise, we have to meet neighbors where they are with solutions that are practical and effective,” said Nelle S. Miller, president and CEO of All Faiths Food Bank. “Margie’s Market represents an innovative step forward in our mission to end hunger. We are deeply grateful to Barancik Foundation and Goodwill Manasota for supporting the creation of this space where neighbors can access food — and opportunity.”

All Faiths Food Bank led months of community listening sessions, surveys and conversations in Newtown to ensure the market directly reflects the neighborhood’s priorities. Feedback from residents, community leaders and local agency partners shaped everything from planned operating hours and product selection to the services that will be offered on-site. 

“Our community told us what they need and what they want to see,” Miller said. “Margie’s Market is being built around those voices.”

By embedding the market in the heart of Newtown, the food bank and its partners aim to break down barriers such as transportation and help families solve multiple needs in a single visit.  Meanwhile, culturally relevant food options, flexible hours, and on-site offerings like cooking demonstrations will offer neighbors choice and agency.

“The research tells us that food access and nutrition programs enhance economic stability, health and overall well-being,” said Omar Guevara-Soto, senior vice president for collaboration and impact at Barancik Foundation. “We think this neighborhood-based market model could reduce the need for emergency food assistance and ease day-to-day financial strain. We’re eager to learn alongside All Faiths and its partners and to hear directly from community members about how it can be improved.”

Margie’s Market by All Faiths Food Bank will complement the food bank’s existing partner network and mobile distributions. With food insecurity and living costs rising — along with cuts to federal and state nutrition programs — expanding access points is essential to ensuring children, families, seniors and veterans have the healthy foods and support they need. 

“By working together, we can reach more neighbors in a way that respects choice, culture and community,” Miller said.

While Barancik Foundation’s grant will fund the first year’s operations, Margie’s Market by All Faiths Food Bank is a multi-year project with a total funding need of $2.59 million. More information, including the official opening date, hours of operation and available services, will be shared soon.

Visit allfaithsfoodbank.org for more about All Faiths Food Bank.

About All Faiths Food Bank

All Faiths Food Bank is the only food bank and largest hunger relief organization in Sarasota and DeSoto counties, providing millions of meals each year in collaboration with more than 300 agencies and programs throughout the community. All Faiths works not only to end hunger today, but also strives to end hunger – forever – by helping families and individuals gain long-term food security, enjoy better health outcomes and achieve self-sufficiency. All Faiths is rated four stars by Charity Navigator and is a partner of the Feeding America and Feeding Florida networks. For more information, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org.