Before delving into today’s topic I would first like to offer a small advisory about today’s Market. This will be the largest Market day in our history. We are likely to see well over 40 vendors. With that being said I would ask for everyone’s cooperation and patience today. There will be lots of pedestrians moving from the parking areas to the Market space. Please use caution and SLOW down when entering and exiting. Thank you!

 

Today I want to give you an idea about how you can help recognize the BFM. You see, there is an organization called America’s Farmland Trust that advocates for issues that affect family farms around the country. One of the many things they promote is local farmers markets. Each year they do a survey of farmers market customers to find the most popular markets in the USA. Please help us out by going here http://tinyurl.com/qfunocvand recommending the BFM. Then spread the word to all of your friends as well.

 

While you’re on the AFT website take a look at how many farmers markets there are just in West Virginia. To do this go here http://tinyurl.com/pukg3fkand type in just about any city or town name in West Virginia and chances are good that a farmers market will pop up. It wasn’t always so. When the BFM was founded in 2009 there were only a handful of markets around the state. These days West Virginia is ranked 14^th among the states for its support of local foods. Isn’t it nice to see our state ranked as a leader for a change?

 

How and why have farmers markets exploded in growth in the last several years, not just here but in all states?

 

The “how” is probably the hardest part. The only way farmers markets happen is when a concerned citizen or group of citizens decides to actually put the rubber to the road and start one. This is many times easier said than done. For us here in Bridgeport it was probably easier than for many towns around the country. Luckily we had, and still have, a progressive streak among our elected leaders that makes them eager to cooperate when local folks want to do good deeds. Especially, as in our case, if those good deeds happen to also improve the “quality of life” in town. They helped find us a space, put up our banners and signs for free, had the Parks and Recreation department help us out early on with setup, and supported us through the Greater Bridgeport Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

 

The “why” is a bit easier to explain. Why? Because who, given the opportunity, doesn’t want to purchase locally-grown fruits and vegetables? Who doesn’t want to purchase locally-grown meats? In other words, just like Kevin Costner was told in the movie Field of Dreams, “Build it and they will come”. In our case that means vendors and customers.

 

In terms of “why” from the vendors’ perspective, I read a quote while on the AFT website that noted that family farmers who sell at farmers markets have a 10% greater chance of staying in business than those that sell thru other channels. Looking back from my unscientific point of view, I can think of very few, if any, farmers that have been regular vendors at the BFM who have gone under. That’s a track record that we’re very proud of.

 

The “why” for customers is easy. I’ll go out on a limb and state another unscientific observation here. It’s my belief that the Market’s customers are eating healthier now than ever before. I don’t say this because I think folks are purchasing all of their food at the Market. That would be very difficult to do. But I do think that regular Market customers, because of their interactions with farmers at the Market, make smarter choices at the grocery store as well. I know from my family’s own experience that we think about everything we put in our mouths now, whether we bought it at the Market or we ran thru the drive-thru at Wendy’s.

 

Yes, I said Wendy’s. Like I said in last week’s blog, balance and moderation should be the order of the day!

 

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A couple of weeks back the Market added a fourth food vendor and, so far, I’ve neglected to mention it. So please stop by the Bistro Brothers food tent today for an excellent sandwich or two. So far the Brothers have offered a tasty pork loin sandwich and an excellent hot dog with all the fixings. I understand they’re planning a special Kielbasa sandwich today. Better get there quick though as they’ve sold out the past two weeks!

 

Today we have a special debut under the Music Tent, or Tents, in this case. A new local band of talented musicians who have recently released a CD of original rock music will be offering up some selections from their CD as well as some classic rock and roll. The band is the Grey Agents and the CD is entitled, Classified Misinformation. They will also have CDs available to purchase. All the members of the band are from the Bridgeport/Clarksburg area and include: John Farmer-bass and vocals, Brian Cottrill-guitars and vocals, Matt Eakle-lead guitar, and Davin Seamon-keyboards and vocals. (Disclaimer: your friendly blogger is the drummer/vocalist for the Grey Agents.)

 

Also making his debut at the Market and warming up for the Grey Agents is BHS graduate Isaac Farmer, son of the aforementioned John Farmer. Isaac is a talented singer/guitarist in his own right and will be offering up his unique take on some classic tunes. You might hear a Sinatra tune one minute and, possibly, a Muppets tune the next. Isaac starts at 10am so don’t miss him!

 

In closing I want to remind everyone that next week at the Market is the annual Country Roads Cook-Off. You can read more about it in Julie Perine’s story on Connect-Bridgeport. Plus I’ll be providing a competition preview here next week.

 

Until next week, Stay Fresh!

 

The Bridgeport Farmers Market Association is the seven member all volunteer board of directors that governs the Bridgeport Farmers Market. It is supported by a wonderful group of community volunteers who help in the setup and maintenance of the market. For more information on the Farmers Market or to see how you can help please e-mail us at bridgeportfarmersmarket@yahoo.comor, better yet, LIKE us on Facebook and follow us on both Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out the Market’s own YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/BridgeportFarmersMktor for more BFM video content you can now go to http://vimeo.com/bridgeportfarmersmarket/videos

Go here to see all of the entries in the Let’s Get Fresh blog: http://tinyurl.com/kdv4mhl

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