Not only could you be sure to see new and old friends at the market,
each one of us who came was able to build relationships with the
farmers and the foods we eat. Food became more than a commodity: the
heirloom tomatoes, the fresh delicious fingerling potatoes, the
beautiful eggplants, the farm fresh eggs, the local musicians, and
all the delicious delights that the vendors provided gave us a
reason each week to celebrate!
|
Sedona Arizona News, Jobs, Tourist Info, Classifieds, Forums - Sedona.biz
|
The conversations that arose around the food – whether it was
about recipes created and or stories of meals shared – also helped
to create a sense of community.
Food has always been about sharing, and sharing creates
community. The foundation of a community is the relationships formed
that are based in reciprocity, equality, respect and kindness. Now
more than ever, it’s important to strengthen these relationships and
renew our sense of place around shared values. Some new
relationships were even established between growers and Sedona
restaurant owners.
The market was also an opportunity to assess local food pathways.
Eating local food not only reduces our carbon footprint but is
usually more nutritious as its freshly picked and brought to us on
the same day. In order to expand those pathways and continue to
build our local food supplies long-term, we are excited to announce
the Winter Farmers Market.
 |
| Local musicians Dos Geckos play the Sedona
Farmers' Market mascot with happy marketeer. Photo
by: Karen Themitz |
This market will be held every Sunday beginning November 15th
from Noon – 4pm at the Sedona Airport.
This winter venue will continue to support the local growers who
already grow year round, and hopefully will encourage new growers
not only locally, but also from warmer Arizona regions who will
bring up their fruits, lettuces and other fine vegetables. This is
the only Winter Farmers Market in Northern Arizona!
A common concern for most people is whether or not the farmers at
the market use fertilizer or pesticides. As part of the application
process to sell at the market, all growers are asked to submit their
farm practices and philosophy. Farm inspections are carried out and
all growers have to submit a crop plan for the season to assure
authentic local quality and natural growing practices. We ensure
that the produce at the market is grown with organic principles;
however, growers are not permitted to use the “organic” label unless
they have organic certification. There are less than a handful of
organically certified growers in Arizona and they farm over 100
acres. Growers at our market farm between .25 and 5 acres which
makes the cost of U.S. Government certification - $26,000 –out of
reach for most small family operations. Also, no reselling is
allowed at the market - this means that no one is allowed to sell
produce unless it is grown by them on their own land.
The location at the airport has been well received and the
weather gods have been mostly supportive. The heat in August kept
some people away and so a future second evening summer venue in 2010
is being discussed at this time.
We give special thanks to all the vendors, the people who came
each week to support this endeavor, to Gardens of Humanity for
organizing gardening talks, to Sedona Recycles for providing the
recycling program, to the Oak Creek Airport Authority, and the City
of Sedona Council Staff for helping us make it all happen.
Special thanks also to Mary Fisher for donating beautiful hand-made
tote bags to the market, the total proceeds of which are being
donated to the local Food Bank and Meals-On-Wheels.
To continue to support these programs, the market is producing a
Market Sampler CD featuring musicians from the 2009 Summer Season to
be released at the Winter Market. And in July of 2010, the market is
launching a program of regular deliveries of fresh produce to the
local food bank. The market is WIC certified so that vendors can
accept the vouchers and coupons offered through the Farmers Market
Nutrition Program which are distributed by Community Health Services
to those who are eligible as part of the program sponsored by the
USDA. It’s also in the process of qualifying to accept food stamps.
The market is a pending 501c3 non-profit organization which will
have the ability to build deep and wide roots in the community. The
market hopes to be a voice for building and protecting our local
food shed and at the same time providing a fun and entertaining
event where locals and visitors alike find quality nourishment in
community and food.
For more information, please contact Katrin Themlitz,
Founder/Director at katrin.themlitz@gmail.com or call (928) 821-1133
