You may have noticed the lack of posts over the last week or so, but rest assured – while I may have neglected to send out new recipes or other goodies – it’s for good reason. Any spare glimpse of a moment has been otherwise preoccupied with growing our little market. The work begins early and ends late as we mark the street, meet the summer’s growers, bakers, ranchers and artists.
So, early on Sunday morning the street looked empty and quiet as the first few vendors began arriving to set up their tents in the cool mountain air. But, almost instantly, the atmosphere changed to one of vibrancy and energy. It’s amazing what just a few short hours do to change the dynamic of the street.
We’ve worked hard at our market over the years and, as hard as that work is, it’s a privilege to be able to serve our community by connecting community members directly with the people who produce their food. There’s greater accountability when you can look your farmer in the eye and ask just how those red, ripe strawberries were grown or how the animals were fed and raised.
What I love about looking at these pictures of our tiny little market is knowing just how big it’ll get as the season progresses. We have over forty vendors signed up for this season, though not all of them will be at the market each day. It’s small – but a community of our size needs little more – just simple, good food. Meats are grass-finished and pastured, vegetables are organic, certified naturally grown or beyond and the rest just falls into place.
Shared on Food Roots.
How exciting this must be for you! I can’t imagine all the work that must go into this. Hopefully you can coast through part of the summer sometime soon in reward for the months of work it took to get this started up.
Enjoy your success!
Hi Jenny, please remind me where you live (somewhere in CO I think?) – this setting is gorgeous. Such great shots.
Kelly
What I notice looking at these pictures is that all the people are white. What’s up with that???? The fatal flaw of the “sustainable food” movement is that it only seems to benfit white people. How many of the farms involved were owned by people of color? Until measures are taken to hold the USDA accountable for their racist lending policies which forced African American farmers from their land, the sustainable food movement will just be another manifestation of white privilege gained at the expense of people of color.
It must be wonderful to be so much part of your farmers market. It is in a lovely setting.
Sphere –
I think you’ll find that our market, like most markets, is largely reflective of our community. Crested Butte has a population that is 97% white. When taking that number into account you’ll find that our market is actually more ethnically and racially diverse than the population it serves.
Of course, no one is checking race cards at the entrance to town, turning back African Americans or other minorities. Indeed, anyone and everyone is welcome to move and vacation here. Unless, of course you advocate the forced relocation of minorities to promote ethnic and racial diversity, complaining about the natural composition of a community serves little purpose.
And while it may be true that governmental lending policies did not favor African Americans or other minorities several decades ago, those policies no longer exist and no one is stopping any minority population from choosing to farm sustainably.
To claim that local foods are racist or a manifestation of white privilege is asinine at best. The time you spend complaining about “white privilege” would be better spent acting.
In short, stop bitching and start farming.
Your town is beautiful. I am sure that getting a market like that going is challenging but very rewarding work. It sounds like the quality of products offered by your vendors is amazing. And I think that I remember reading that you have a no plastic bag policy too which I believe adds to the overall quality of the market.
The Market in the town that I recently moved to doesn’t start until the end of July. I can’t wait!
Looks great! We love farmers market and commend you for all the work your doing to foster such an important part of community living!
This is really awesome! I can’t imagine how much work it is to put together a market, but I am beyond sure that it is well worth it!
excellent!!!