Farmers’ Market opens season with goal of attracting Hispanic community
Posted on Sunday, April 2, 2006
The Fayetteville Farmers’ Market opened its doors Saturday not only to a new year, but also to new diversity.
As part of a national initiative, Project for Public Spaces has awarded a $10,000 grant to the Fayetteville Farmers’ Market. The grant will provide funding for various programs aimed at involving the growing Hispanic community of Northwest Arkansas in the farmers’ market. "We have a diverse community with diverse opinions and we’re excited to entice more Latinos to come to the market," said Mayor Dan Coody. "This market embodies everything that’s so good about our community, but it wouldn’t be possible without the citizens and the farmers."
The grant is one of 12 projects supported by Project for Public Spaces’ initiative to diversify farmers’ markets nationwide. "In addition to improving the quality of our offerings, this grant will also improve the diversity of our products and vendors," said Janet Bachmann, board member and secretary of Rural Mountain Producers Exchange. "This year, we are reaching out to the Latinos in our community and encouraging them to join the market."
The grants are part of a three-year, $3 million grantmaking program that began in 2005 and is funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and the Ford Foundation. "There were 262 proposals for the mini-grant and Fayetteville was one of 12 communities to receive it," Bachmann said. "Our goal is to have at least two Latino vendors before the end of the year."
Bachmann said the Farmers’ Market will be offering Spanish-speaking market tours on Tuesday, June 20, and Thursday, July 20. "We’ll also be having a Spanish speaking farm tour on July 23 at Dripping Springs and another farm tour on May 21 at Riverbend Gardens," she said.
The Fayetteville Farmers’ Market offers marketing space for more than 60 vendors each week during the summer. Through the market season, the Farmers’ Market provides primary or supplemental income to more than 90 farm families. Vendors must live in Benton, Madison or Washington counties, must grow the products they sell and must first become a member of the market. "I’m very excited about this project," said Yolanda Fields, who works for the city’s department of community resources. "This is a chance to welcome individuals who may not have had a chance to participate in the market before. It’s an opportunity for community blending to making new friends."
The market is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings on the downtown Square, and on Thursday evenings beginning June 1 at the intersection South School Avenue and West Sixth Street.
Information about joining the Farmers’ Market is available in Spanish by calling (479) 443-0031.
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