I'm really not trying to start a flame war here ( really!) but having gone to the farmers market several times, it strikes me that about 80% of the patrons are white, while about 80% of the residents outside the market are African-American.
Does anyone have insight on why this is? Or what could be done to change the situation?
Probably for socio-economic reasons. i haven't gone to the farmer's market, but I am willing to bet that the produce is more expensive that something similar in the local Safeway. If the prices are similar to what I've noticed at the Eastern Market, then they most likely would be.
I would love to see a breakdown by income and class of the people who go to the farmer's market and compare it to a racial breakdown of the city's middle class.
I think that the costs of produce depends on the farmer. When stuff is in full season, it is sometimes cheaper than Safeway. Check out the guy's prices in the back row. I know that last summer the farmers took some sort of food vouchers but I haven't seen transaction this year.
The prices at the H Street Farm Fresh market are cheaper than the prices at Eastern Market. I suspect however, that they are not cheaper than the prices at Murray's. I think that there may be several factors that might account for the patern you are seeing. For instance, I know that one of the major ways the word about the market has spread is through area listservs. So, if thanks to some kind of digital divide, many households don't have computers...they also don't have access to the listservs. At the same time, I know that the market has given flyers to nearby residents as well as to the children at the nearby schools. aside from that publicity, you wouldn't really know that the market was even there. Sometimes people are all that aware of how the seasons affect availability of produce (because you can always get certain things at Safeway). I have certainly seen people ask about items that are no where near being in season. With a farners market you may not have items the consumer is most used to cooking. Instead you may have certain foods, like beets, that many consumers don't really know how to prepare. Then again, some families (particularly families where both parents (or the only parent) must work long hours may be relying more on conveniance foods. Even if they do eat fresh veggies, they may not have the time to shop at two different stores. So maybe we're seeing some class issues. But there could be many reasons. Maybe some people grew up (or moved from) areas that have farmers markets. There has also been a trend in the past couple of decades that Americans are getting more sophisticated (or more fru-fru if you prefer) in our eating habits. Those most likely to express this trend are those who are better off financially, or those who are educated. Unfortunately, African Americans have (obviously) been at a historical disadvantage on both fronts. I don't know what is really causing the trend you have seen at the market on H Street. I suggest (after you visit the H Street Market) that you take a little walk over to the DC Farmers Market on Florida. I think you'll find it a very different experience. You will likely find that at least 80% of the patrons (in the actual market, not at Litteri's) are black. Oh, and FYI -the H Street market accepts WIC vouchers.
5 comments:
the sweetest fresh corn in town!
I'm really not trying to start a flame war here ( really!) but having gone to the farmers market several times, it strikes me that about 80% of the patrons are white, while about 80% of the residents outside the market are African-American.
Does anyone have insight on why this is? Or what could be done to change the situation?
Probably for socio-economic reasons. i haven't gone to the farmer's market, but I am willing to bet that the produce is more expensive that something similar in the local Safeway. If the prices are similar to what I've noticed at the Eastern Market, then they most likely would be.
I would love to see a breakdown by income and class of the people who go to the farmer's market and compare it to a racial breakdown of the city's middle class.
I think that the costs of produce depends on the farmer. When stuff is in full season, it is sometimes cheaper than Safeway. Check out the guy's prices in the back row. I know that last summer the farmers took some sort of food vouchers but I haven't seen transaction this year.
The prices at the H Street Farm Fresh market are cheaper than the prices at Eastern Market. I suspect however, that they are not cheaper than the prices at Murray's. I think that there may be several factors that might account for the patern you are seeing. For instance, I know that one of the major ways the word about the market has spread is through area listservs. So, if thanks to some kind of digital divide, many households don't have computers...they also don't have access to the listservs. At the same time, I know that the market has given flyers to nearby residents as well as to the children at the nearby schools. aside from that publicity, you wouldn't really know that the market was even there. Sometimes people are all that aware of how the seasons affect availability of produce (because you can always get certain things at Safeway). I have certainly seen people ask about items that are no where near being in season. With a farners market you may not have items the consumer is most used to cooking. Instead you may have certain foods, like beets, that many consumers don't really know how to prepare. Then again, some families (particularly families where both parents (or the only parent) must work long hours may be relying more on conveniance foods. Even if they do eat fresh veggies, they may not have the time to shop at two different stores. So maybe we're seeing some class issues. But there could be many reasons. Maybe some people grew up (or moved from) areas that have farmers markets. There has also been a trend in the past couple of decades that Americans are getting more sophisticated (or more fru-fru if you prefer) in our eating habits. Those most likely to express this trend are those who are better off financially, or those who are educated. Unfortunately, African Americans have (obviously) been at a historical disadvantage on both fronts. I don't know what is really causing the trend you have seen at the market on H Street. I suggest (after you visit the H Street Market) that you take a little walk over to the DC Farmers Market on Florida. I think you'll find it a very different experience. You will likely find that at least 80% of the patrons (in the actual market, not at Litteri's) are black. Oh, and FYI -the H Street market accepts WIC vouchers.
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