Valley’s Fresh Abundance zoned out

Local food sellers Fresh Abundance have closed their Spokane Valley store.

Owner Eden BrightSpirit Hendrix says the organic grocery store and delivery business had plans to expand to improve its refrigerated and frozen sections.

But when she went to seek permits for the expansion, Spokane County officials told her that the area was not zoned for the store.

The little red farmhouse near Best Road and 32nd Avenue has been home to a store for more than 50 years, according to Hendrix. It housed Amicarella’s Valley Produce before it was leased to Fresh Abundance earlier this year.

Fresh Abundance’s nonprofit parent, People for Environmental Action and Community Health (PEACH), also began developing its “permaculture” farm at that location, which they hope will serve as a school for those who want to learn how to farm. It was featured in the July 15 edition of the Food section.

Hendrix says they’ll finish the season there, but are looking for a different 10-acre location for the farm school so they can also raise animals in addition to growing food on the sustainable farm. The land must be zoned agricultural traditional.

Fresh Abundance’s main store and delivery hub is located at 2015 N. Division St., just north of Indiana. The store can be reached at (509) 533-2724 or look online at www.freshabundance.com.

Here piggy, piggy…

Speaking of farm life, mark the calendar: The food fest that is Pig Out in the Park begins one week from today.

This year’s extravaganza lasts six days. Choose your food from more than 45 booths and pay no more than $8.95. You might want to start saving calories right now.