Farmer's Market Video.mp4

The farmers' market has been a Bloomington staple since 1975.
Occurring every Saturday through the months of April to November,
farmers and members of the community gather to experience the best in
homemade crafts, music, and local organic produce.

So why not simply go to the supermarket? Margaret Fette, a local
business owner, can think of a few reasons.

"The reason I come here is because, generally, produce is better than
what I can buy in the grocery stores," Fette said. "And if you look
around, I mean, the price here is obviously as competitive at grocery
stores. Sometimes it's better."

But in the last two years, the economic recession has left its own
mark on the Bloomington farmers' market. Small farmers like Dan
McCullough are feeling the pinch.

"A lot of the vendors I talk to, they're not selling as much product
as they used to," McCullough said.

But as some people lose their jobs and struggle to find new ones, many
are looking to farming as an alternative.

"It seems like each year new ones keep coming on," McCullough said.
"And for a lot of people it is their need to pick up a second job."

So what does the increased competition mean for local vendors? Vendor
Mark Stoll still feels confident in his sales.

"More people are doing farms—doing gardens or larger gardens. So we're
seeing more produce at the market, but the customers are buying very
well," Stoll said.

Susan Wesland, a vendor specializing in chilis, thinks people are
attracted to the idea of healthier eating.

"I think it's more of people having their own gardens for the first
time, wanting to grow their own food, eat healthier food," Wesland
said.

Many consider the farmers' market the reason why Bloomington's economy
is as stable as it is.

Farmers' market busker Mitch Rice thinks the increased attendance is
due to the good character of the locals.

"The level of consciousness in the community has risen," Rice said,
"especially in terms of saving the planet and doing the right thing."

THREE QUESTIONS WE ASKED

1) How has the recession affected your business?

2) Why do you buy at the farmers' market?

3) How has the recession affected small farmers differently from big farmers?

CONTRIBUTIONS

Ryan - interviewing, filming, writing
Stephen - interviewing, filming, editing, voiceover

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Farmer's
• Market
• Video