Hmong Community Gardeners create their own farmers market
The FEED program was created to provide a farmers market for an underserved area of Sacramento; underserved by not having fresh produce in the area, no large markets, and no farmers market in the low income area. So a group organized and found vacant private properties for the Hmong growers to farm. A total of 4 acres was found, planted and now the harvest begins. This last weekend the farmers market opened at a city community center parking lot. Tables full of produce from 6 Hmong growers from the sites (sold bitter melon, pumpkin vine, and other produce from their homelands as well as strawberrieser) and 2 local organic farmers (who sold fruit and other produce that the Hmong growers did not grow) ....95% of the produce at the market was sold by the end of the day. organic principles are in place and no pesticides are used at the sites. We also have the electronic EBT cards (food stamps) table for those that needed to use it.. wireless phones provide the connection to the booth....a first in the city as no other farmers markets offer that. This was the first offering of the produce which will serve as a 2 week trial period before the grand opening will July 23, which will get more visitors as the word travels. The market will be open Saturdays 8-12... everyone bought bags of produce and commented on how great if was to have a farmers market in the area. It is the goal of the FEED program to provide fresh food to this area of sacramento and to offer farming opportunities for the Hmong growers in the area. We are looking for more sites as we have a waiting list of Hmong growers that want to get involved. Bill Maynard ACGA board member - Sacramento ______________________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
