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Patel College of Global Sustainability Alumni Bring Sustainability to Apollo Beach

_{September 20th, 2017
By: Emily Munger}

After a year of selling handmade soy candles at local farmer's markets throughout the Tampa Bay area, PCGS Alumni Trinity Miller and Tyler Demonde identified the need for a monthly market in the South Shore area. MiraBay Market is a brand new farmers market located at MiraBay waterfront community in Apollo Beach, Florida. Our alumni knew that the easiest way to get communities involved in sustainability practices was for them to start shopping locally. Shopping locally helps to reduce our carbon footprint while reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions and water usage because of lower shipping and transportation needs. In the past year alone, the MiraBay Market has developed relationships with over 200 local small business from communities like Tampa, St. Pete, Ruskin, Brandon, Temple Terrace, and Lithia. MiraBay Market has a diverse vendor population that provide fruits & vegetables, locally prepared food, handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing, and eco-friendly personal care products to fill the needs and demands of local communities in Apollo Beach, FL and the Tampa Bay Area.

Trinity and Tyler have seen how their market positively impacts the community of both vendors and residents. "By connecting local farmers like Jordan Farms, businesses like Stanford's Jerky, and community leaders like Townie Life Magazine, the MiraBay Market aims to increase their chances of success," Tyler said. When MiraBay Market shoppers choose to spend money with these local small businesses, a portion of that money will ultimately stay within the community. In fact, the Indie Impact series of surveys by Civic Economics found that on average 34% more revenue is recirculated locally by independent retailers compared to national chain stores. The goal of the MiraBay Market is to increase the amount of revenue recirculated in South Shore, provide shoppers the opportunity to find local products and services, and help local small businesses find success.