There is a pretty dramatic contrast between the fluorescently lit aisles of a grocery store, nearly identical no matter which of the big stores you go into, and the bustling and vibrant personality of your local farmers' market, each one unique with individual vendors offering local food and wares produced or made by themselves. There is a sense of community, belonging, and general vibrancy that every farmers' market has. By making visiting your local market a part of your weekly routine, you can ground yourself in the unique community spirit it offers and become immersed in the local food scenes that thrive in these special places.
Making Friends At The Market
I have been vending the market booth for the farm that I work at for over a year now, which has given me insight into both sides of the market table. I had been working on my farm for several seasons before I began working at the market, and was struck by several things immediately. The first and most potent was how quickly I got to know and enjoy the folks who came weekly. I immediately started to notice and wonder where they were when a week would go by and I wouldn't see them, which also offered some fresh conversation for the following week. Even just small talk with folks is enjoyable, especially those who are genuinely excited about our produce, or curious about what's going on at the farm, or in my life personally. There's a dozen or so folks who buy produce from us regularly who I've developed a great connection with, and have longer conversations about any number of topics that I find myself energized by afterwards. I have formed real friendships there! It has confirmed my belief in the power of food to bring people together and forge authentic connections. As a side note, there was a stint when I worked as a cashier at a FreshCo in my late teens, and the difference between the two roles is immense. One was draining and had me getting grumpy at people daily, while the other has me energized and hopeful about the local food system.
There are also the connections and friendships between vendors. With the farmers' market my farm vends at being fairly small (Memorial Centre Farmers' Market in Kingston, ON), there is ample room to get to know other vendors and form lasting connections, or even just friendly small talk during the slow moments in the market.
Farmers' markets Are A Social Hub
Another thing that has stood out to me during my time working at the market is noticing how many families come every single week to do their grocery shopping, get some food from one of the food vendors, and then sit in the park with their friends and socialize for hours at a time. Little kids run around playing, couples laze in the grass, and some people sit quietly reading, enjoying the day. The farmers' market, while an excellent place to get fresh local foods, is also a social hub, one that brings together members of the community in a common space. I noticed this as a market goer, before I worked on a farm, but standing behind the booth for 5 hours every week gives a unique vantage point to observe the market landscape and its happenings.
Designed To Be Community Centred
To circle back around to the juxtaposition between a grocery store and farmers' market, while both offer food, only one offers that in addition to being community space with an invitation to stop and stay for a while. With live music, community building events, and laid out to be a space for people to engage with each other, farmers' markets are clearly the superior shopping experience in my mind, and not just because the food is better. While you may bump into a neighbour or friend in a shopping aisle, it is pretty hard to imagine strolling around for a few hours up and down the aisles chatting. Most likely you'd be asked to check out and take your hang-out elsewhere.
This inherent design of farmers' markets as a place of community gathering is valuable at all times, but seems especially so now when there are very few public spaces where we can mingle with our neighbours in a similar way. With many of the staff at farmers' markets also being volunteers, they truly embody the community spirit of giving and generosity. Through my conversations at the market I've learned about many events across the city and broader community, learned about sweet hiking spots, had laughs, somber moments, and everything in between, all from people brought together by food and hand made goods.
There are many other ways farmers' markets foster community, including; community notice boards highlighting events, issues, and happenings; giving a platform to local musicians; giving independent makers and crafters access to space to sell their creations for a modest fee; as well as family events.
Every Market Is Unique
If you've ever lived in a few different cities and visited farmers' markets in each of them, you might be struck by how they have a similar spirit while all offering a completely unique experience. Sure, there may be the stalls you expect (and would hope!) to be there like small vegetable farms, grain growers with their own flour, folks selling eggs and meat from animals they've raised, or makers selling crafts, but if you look closely for a minute longer you'll likely see how unique each vendor is, and how unique the market as a whole is. Not just the layout, or how big or busy it is, or where it is situated, but how the unique composition of the community has come together to make a market that isn't the same as any other in the world. Maybe that is waxing a bit poetic, but it seems important and special to recognize. Given as an alternative to going to a grocery store that is laid out the same as any other store under the same name, and essentially the same as competing chains, I think it's worthy to point out and celebrate the vibrant individuality of each market.
And they only exist and stay vibrant because of the people who go to them. If you haven't been yet, check out your local farmers' market!
Written by Terran Vaivars Szwarc of Meadow Sun Nursery and Gardens, Lyndhurst, ON