Fruits, Vegetables, and a lil' chisme

Farmers markets have really grown over the last 5 years. They are popping up all over the city. And they really remind me of the markets in Mexico. There, everyone pretty much has to go to some kind of mercado (check the web if you don't know what that means) to get their goods. People chat with their neighbors, family, and friends. They build relationships with the vendors. They network and get connected..and I'm not talking with laptops or cell phones. The art of chisme (check that one too) is necessary for stress relief. That's a past time that I remember back in the early days of growing up in this area. My mom used to take us to flea markets..and sometimes I think just to talk it up while buying her produce. She would talk for hours with people she ran into. Now the flea markets are like outdoor malls..and not very much in the way of fruits and veggies for sale and not very much talking.

I really miss that experience..and long for the relationships I myself built with vendors from the mercados when I lived in Mexico...there is something very special about those relationships you build with the people who provide your food.

So I've been tossing around this idea of starting a farmers market in my neighborhood. It all started when thinking that I wished we had a farmers market nearby our home. I have to drive pretty far to get fresh local or organic produce, and I shouldn't have to. But that's the problem when you live in a neighborhood that is considered "underserved" or "underrepresented". There are no Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, those are about 10-15 miles away. And as for my local markets, they often sell second and third rate produce that sometimes doesn't look very appetizing... so asking for fresh is a stretch..and organic..sorry Charlie!

The produce looks like "factory" produce..it practically has "GMO" written all over it!

So I began brainstorming ways to help bring more local and fresh, organic fruits and veggies to my community. I'm considering proposing the idea of a farmers market to a nearby non-profit agency to see if they would consider hosting one, even just once a month. They could begin to generate revenue from the market that would benefit the agency and the services they provide, the agency could meet more of their neighbors, and neighbors could meet one another. The agency could become even more of a cornerstone for the community and we would all get fresh, local, and organic fruits and vegetables to fill our bellies, satisfy our souls and feed our minds.

Oh and don't forget a lil' chisme too...it's good for the diet!

Live a good life!