Tending Community: Let's Talk Consumption
By Perris Reed on June 12, 2026 from Tending Community
Every week when people talk about the Bridgeport Farmers and Makers Market, the conversation usually centers around fresh, local food. And rightfully so. After all, it is a farmers’ market. The farmers who grow our food and the makers who create with their hands are the foundation of everything we do.
But this week, I'd like to challenge you to think about consumption a little differently.
Every day we consume something. Food, of course, but also emails, text messages, social media notifications, deadlines, advertisements, headlines, and an endless stream of information competing for our attention. We live in a human-built world that often feels like it wasn't built for humans at all. We are constantly connected, constantly stimulated, and constantly consuming, but are we nourished? 
What if, for a few hours on a Sunday morning, you chose to consume something different?
Come to the market and consume a conversation with an old friend. Better yet, strike up a conversation with someone you've never met before. Consume the laughter of children enjoying activities in the Kids’ Corner. Consume the sounds of a local musician filling the air with music. Consume new knowledge from the farmers who grow your food and the makers who pour their passion into every product they create.
Take a seat under the tent. Slow down. Stay awhile.
And then, of course, take home some fresh ingredients and cook a meal worth consuming, too.
One of my favorite songs is "Big Backyard" by Molly Tuttle. In it, she sings, "Wherever you ramble, wherever you roam. Whoever you are, we've all gotta live here. However you march to the beat of your drum. Everyone is shining in the big backyard."
To me, that's what BFM2 is all about. It's a place where everyone belongs. A place where neighbors become friends, where conversations happen naturally, and where community is built one Sunday at a time.
So, this week, come spend a few hours in the Big Backyard with us. There's plenty here for you to consume.
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