Lisa Freeman wants you to know that you won’t find any potato chips or soda at the Freeman Family Farm Store.
The Manchester grocery store, which held its soft launch on January 15th and is now officially open, stands as a beacon of wellness in a community that has long struggled with food insecurity. Stocking fresh, locally grown produce from small Black farmers in the region, along with a variety of natural food products, the store is dedicated to fostering health and nourishment.
But its mission goes beyond just food. The store also offers a range of wellness services, including meal prep tailored to specific diets and medical conditions, cooking workshops, trauma counseling, exercise classes, and more—creating a true hub for holistic well-being.
For its founder, a Catapult alum and longtime social worker, this store is the realization of a vision that took root years ago. The journey began in 2009, when she moved to Pittsburgh and enrolled her son at Manchester Elementary School. Noticing that students at one of the district’s poorest schools had few healthy outlets for their emotions, she was struck by an idea when she saw an empty patch of land in front of the school—an idea that would grow into something far greater than she first imagined.
“I was like, ‘You know, let's go play in the dirt.’ I didn't really know what I was doing, but the kids loved it, and that stopped all the aggression. The goal was just to learn how to take care of something and be mindful of something bigger than themselves — no competition, no skills needed.”
The ripple effects of that school garden were eventually felt throughout Pittsburgh, becoming the model for community gardens implemented by former Mayor Luke Ravenstahl across Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Growing a dream: from garden to farm
That school garden planted the seeds for something even bigger. In 2009, Freeman expanded her vision by launching the Manchester Growing Together Garden, a community space dedicated to fresh food and shared purpose. Then, in 2017, she and her late husband, Wallace Sapp, took an even bolder step—purchasing a 10,000-square-foot condemned warehouse in the neighborhood. Their dream was to transform the space into a thriving urban farm, a place where they could one day retire together, living simply and sustainably—just like “Ma and Pa Kettle.”
Becoming a part of the Catapult family
Throughout her journey, Freeman found unwavering support in the Catapult community. As a participant in the first Catapult Culinary cohort and an abbreviated version of the Catapult Startup to Storefront program, she was able to refine key aspects of her business plan, including securing essential legal guidance.
But the most invaluable support came when she needed it most.
“I love Catapult because once you’re involved, you’re part of the family,” Freeman shared.
When she found herself $60,000 short of the funds needed to complete the Freeman Family Farm Store, she turned to Catapult for help. The team immediately sprang into action, advocating on her behalf and connecting her with additional resources through the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh.
For Freeman, the deep sense of community she’s experienced at every stage of the project is what keeps her going.
“I don’t have any money yet and probably won’t for a while, but watching goodness emerge—seeing people walk into the store as strangers and leave as part of a community—is truly divine,” she said.
The store itself exudes a boutique charm, with built-in cabinets and custom displays featuring photos of the farm and Freeman’s family. The interior design was led by Catapult partner Latoya Johnson Rainey, while Tink Design served as the architect who helped bring the vision to life.
Ultimately, Freeman hopes the store and farm will serve as a place of peace—not just for herself, but for everyone who walks through its doors.
