Farmers markets are such great community resources. Here in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago we are lucky to have 2, one in the center of H. Park and one just south of us in Woodlawn, at the Experimental Station. That is a resource that serves a year 'round purpose, holding some markets in winter indoors as well. They also host various community groups, a project that teaches preteens and teens to repair bikes, which they can then take home for use, and other projects. They grew out of a local Resource Center which a pioneering Hyde Parker named Ken Dunn established, doing recycling/composting/repairing and re-use of all types of things. He established a recycling business back in the 1970s long before the city was ready to get onboard the movement, with his own truck designed to pick up recyclable materials. He gave people from the poorer neighborhoods to the south and west jobs at his recycling facility and established a center for people to share resources they had and take things they could use. Many Chicago teachers have used it for supplies for their classrooms, finding things for projects their pupils could do, paper that was donated for students to use for drawing, etc. The farmers market became a part of that enterprise when he partnered with them to help start the classes such as the bicycle repair.
I love learning about projects like Reunity Resources that are dedicated to sustainability. Our Locavore in Hilo is a mini version of the same, dedicated to selling local produce and locally made items.
Hi Maia -- thanks for the info about Reunity! I recently made my move from Cincinnati to Santa Fe and signed up for their compost pickup service but was unaware of the Farm Stand!
Oh there is SO much good stuff going on there, Niki! Make sure to check out the schedule of concerts and other events in the summer. It really is a good place to meet kindred spirits. And welcome to New Mexico!
Farmers markets are such great community resources. Here in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago we are lucky to have 2, one in the center of H. Park and one just south of us in Woodlawn, at the Experimental Station. That is a resource that serves a year 'round purpose, holding some markets in winter indoors as well. They also host various community groups, a project that teaches preteens and teens to repair bikes, which they can then take home for use, and other projects. They grew out of a local Resource Center which a pioneering Hyde Parker named Ken Dunn established, doing recycling/composting/repairing and re-use of all types of things. He established a recycling business back in the 1970s long before the city was ready to get onboard the movement, with his own truck designed to pick up recyclable materials. He gave people from the poorer neighborhoods to the south and west jobs at his recycling facility and established a center for people to share resources they had and take things they could use. Many Chicago teachers have used it for supplies for their classrooms, finding things for projects their pupils could do, paper that was donated for students to use for drawing, etc. The farmers market became a part of that enterprise when he partnered with them to help start the classes such as the bicycle repair.
I love learning about projects like Reunity Resources that are dedicated to sustainability. Our Locavore in Hilo is a mini version of the same, dedicated to selling local produce and locally made items.
Hi Maia -- thanks for the info about Reunity! I recently made my move from Cincinnati to Santa Fe and signed up for their compost pickup service but was unaware of the Farm Stand!
Oh there is SO much good stuff going on there, Niki! Make sure to check out the schedule of concerts and other events in the summer. It really is a good place to meet kindred spirits. And welcome to New Mexico!