Today, after returning from a service project at Crissy Air Field we traveled to the Tenderloin District, known to consist of low incomes, to the Heart of the City Farmer's Market. This market is an "independent non-profit that is operated by its member farmers with a mission to bring healthy food and nutrition education outreach to a community that lacks a grocery store." The organization is unique in that it's governing council consists of farmers that keep prices low and competitive instead of "middle men" business people focused on turning profits.
Due to it's density, and the sprawl that continues beyond the city, there aren't really any conventional farms in San Francisco. As a result, the Heart of the City Farmer's Market employs vendors from "local" farms, which in this case are about 2-4 hours from the city. One farm that does in fact operate in the city is a honeybee farm. This particular vendor cultivates his bees on green roofs throughout the city, and sells their honey at the market.
Recently due to a high supply of farmers wanting to become vendors and a change in demand to organic produce the market is only adding organic producers to support a goal towards sustainable agriculture. Check out their website at http://heartofthecity-farmersmar.squarespace.com/. We really like the page "Our Farmers" that describes every participating farm in the market which commonly has details about the sustainable practices of each farm!
As more and more people begin to eat organic foods, it is important for the public to become further educated on who they are purchasing from. Too many times, people think that buying organic is 100% the best thing to do when in reality, it can be more helpful to buy local foods from small farmers. The difference between buying organic foods from a grocery store and a local, small farmer is that a grocery store usually obtains organic foods from a large corporation. In addition, larger corporations can afford the cost of becoming certified organic (roughly $4,000.) Local, small farmers depend on each transaction and thus not doing business with them is detrimental to their success. Furthermore, when you buy foods from these farmers, the money that you spend is more likely to stay within the local economy. This is beneficial because it helps maintain a certain level of money within the community instead of adding more money to the outflow of cash. One of the neat concepts that the Heart of the City Farmer's Market employs is the education of the public on why they should purchase local fresh produce instead of eating out. The importance is the same for this concept as it is with buying local organic foods from small farmers--it helps sustain the local economy allowing for a more stable/healthy community.
Another way the Heart of the City Farmer's Market demonstrates sustainability is through it's relationship with it's farmers. The cultural aspect is often an overlooked component when one thinks of sustainability. Heart of the City Farmer's Market cares about it's farmers, and has maintained consistent relations with them since launching the program about six years ago. The market guarantees their farmers a spot every event, so they are not constantly competing for a place to sell their goods. Furthermore, if the farmer grows a seasonal item, they will not lose their position in the market during their "off season", or when their crop is out of season. This practice is in compliance with the market's program for floating vendors. Floating vendors are not permanent members of the market, but are occasionally permitted positions depending on a variety of factors. For example, one farmer who grows blueberries has an unofficial reserved spot during blueberry season because of the relationship he has with the market. This concept of sustainability relates to keeping and maintaining a culture, while also avoiding gentrification.
Fresh Purple Cauliflower
Due to it's density, and the sprawl that continues beyond the city, there aren't really any conventional farms in San Francisco. As a result, the Heart of the City Farmer's Market employs vendors from "local" farms, which in this case are about 2-4 hours from the city. One farm that does in fact operate in the city is a honeybee farm. This particular vendor cultivates his bees on green roofs throughout the city, and sells their honey at the market.
Recently due to a high supply of farmers wanting to become vendors and a change in demand to organic produce the market is only adding organic producers to support a goal towards sustainable agriculture. Check out their website at http://heartofthecity-farmersmar.squarespace.com/. We really like the page "Our Farmers" that describes every participating farm in the market which commonly has details about the sustainable practices of each farm!
As more and more people begin to eat organic foods, it is important for the public to become further educated on who they are purchasing from. Too many times, people think that buying organic is 100% the best thing to do when in reality, it can be more helpful to buy local foods from small farmers. The difference between buying organic foods from a grocery store and a local, small farmer is that a grocery store usually obtains organic foods from a large corporation. In addition, larger corporations can afford the cost of becoming certified organic (roughly $4,000.) Local, small farmers depend on each transaction and thus not doing business with them is detrimental to their success. Furthermore, when you buy foods from these farmers, the money that you spend is more likely to stay within the local economy. This is beneficial because it helps maintain a certain level of money within the community instead of adding more money to the outflow of cash. One of the neat concepts that the Heart of the City Farmer's Market employs is the education of the public on why they should purchase local fresh produce instead of eating out. The importance is the same for this concept as it is with buying local organic foods from small farmers--it helps sustain the local economy allowing for a more stable/healthy community.
Another way the Heart of the City Farmer's Market demonstrates sustainability is through it's relationship with it's farmers. The cultural aspect is often an overlooked component when one thinks of sustainability. Heart of the City Farmer's Market cares about it's farmers, and has maintained consistent relations with them since launching the program about six years ago. The market guarantees their farmers a spot every event, so they are not constantly competing for a place to sell their goods. Furthermore, if the farmer grows a seasonal item, they will not lose their position in the market during their "off season", or when their crop is out of season. This practice is in compliance with the market's program for floating vendors. Floating vendors are not permanent members of the market, but are occasionally permitted positions depending on a variety of factors. For example, one farmer who grows blueberries has an unofficial reserved spot during blueberry season because of the relationship he has with the market. This concept of sustainability relates to keeping and maintaining a culture, while also avoiding gentrification.
Fresh Purple Cauliflower