I’m really not a granola person. I never have been. But something prompted me to read a book called The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan. I can’t remember why I read it. After all, I have three kids under the age of 6, and that doesn’t give me a lot of time to read non-fiction books about our food system.
I think I just wanted to know why my strawberry in the plastic container from the grocery store didn’t, well, taste like a strawberry. It looked like a strawberry. The texture was like a strawberry. But the taste? Not like a strawberry.
I wanted to know why my strawberry had to be picked before its prime and travel countless miles to get to me, especially since there are at least three strawberry farms within 5 miles of my house. Why can’t I have access to these berries in my grocery store?
OK, I would be willing to settle for a farmers’ market nearby. But I was out of luck there too. I thought I would have to settle for the produce from my grocer, but you know what? I decided my family deserves better. My community deserves better. Something is wrong with this system.
I learned a lot about why our food system is the way it is, but I wanted to focus on what I could do to increase my local fresh food options. I decided to make it a priority to shop at the closest farmers’ markets that were robust enough to make it worth my while. I drove 30 minutes to Carrboro and sometimes 25 minutes to Durham. This lasted about 3 weeks, given the reality of kids’ soccer games and swim lessons.
I started sharing my desire for a farmers’ market in Cary with friends and discovered that I was not alone. When a passion is ignited in a group of women, things just get done. We researched, we emailed, we made spreadsheets, we attended meetings, we held meetings, we called farmers, we contacted attorneys, extension agents, farmers’ market managers, and, finally almost 10 months later, opening day has arrived.
The Western Wake Farmers’ Market is a reality. Come to the market. Enjoy your food. Experience the market atmosphere. Sample lots and bring your kids. Meet your farmers, ask them questions and support them with your dollars so they don’t disappear.
This has been such a positive experience, and truly, a collaboration that continues to inspire me, and I hope it does you as well.
See you at the Market.
Juliann Zoetmulder
President, WWFM Inc.
