Day: July 20, 2010

Mini farmers markets thrive in low-income Minneapolis neighborhoods, By Madeleine Baran, July 20, 2010, Minnesota Public Radio: “Tim Page has broken up concrete, chased away woodchucks, and battled an overflowing sewer with one purpose in mind — to create a farmers market to bring fresh produce to north Minneapolis residents. The Streetwerks Youth Farmers Market opened two weeks ago in the parking lot of a former gas station, after a year of work, and with the help of a team of young adults from the neighborhood. On the market’s second day of business, three teenagers picked vegetables from a nearby garden, set up a tent on the cracked asphalt parking lot, and waited for customers. As rain began to fall, an elderly woman walked up to buy a basket of okra. The newly minted farmers helped her pick the best batch while cars zipped by along the industrial stretch of Glenwood Avenue. ‘I saw the potential here,’ Page, 47, said, surveying the community gardens across the street from the market. ‘You know how you want to be part of a success? This feels pretty good right now.’ The Streetwerks market is part of a growing movement to open small-scale farmers markets in low-income Minneapolis neighborhoods where fresh produce is scarce. Organizers say the markets are starting to transform the diets — and the economy — of some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods…”