Farmers are Friends

It feels kind of weird to not say hello, howdy, or some form of greeting this time, but sadly this is my last post! We shared some laughs and some snacks this summer, but before I go, I wanted to touch on why these blog posts are special to me and so important for the community. Throughout my internship, I have been exposed to the behind the scenes of our local vendors, the parts that make all this local, sustainable food possible. For those of you who are guilty of never asking the who, what, when, where or why about your food, these blogs are a good start, but I urge you to really dive head first into this aspect of your community!
The Green Market isn’t like taking a stroll through Kroger, and we don’t ever want it to be. The mission is to benefit all parties- the consumers, the vendors, the environment, right down to the earthworms and the aphids. We want people to think of food differently, think of it as a community effort, not a transaction, not a chore. We want people to know that being healthy is actually fun. The market is not only run by families for families, but the vendors make up their own family. This subcommunity of farmers, bakers, skincare enthusiasts, flower-freaks, soap heads, yogis and of course, jellies and jammers have all come together to create more than quality products. These vendors are here to make a real connection with their customers; when one pours the entirety of oneself into the creation of all these beautiful things, it's really something special to have the opportunity to share it with others. I’ve gotten to see the flicker of excitement in a farmer’s eyes as they talked about the new variety of corn that is almost ready for harvest, I’ve heard tales of getting to see families grow and expand every time the blueberries beckoned to be picked, but most importantly I have seen genuine smiles and had real conversations with market customers. When was the last time you got the deets about your food while grocery shopping? Ever heard live music at Kroger? Ever had a Walmart greeter offer you a local cup of coffee? Feel comfortable leaving your child in the corner while you shop around? Probably not, and that's okay, because that's why the Green Market is here! Don’t hesitate to talk to your farmer, don’t listen to the bleeps of items being carelessly swiped, don’t ask a walmart greeter for coffee, and definitely don’t leave your kid somewhere while you shop, just come to the market! Get to know your vendors personally and not just via blog post- and remember, farmers are friends, not (just) food!
-Katelynn

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