Native-Owned Farmers Markets

It’s National Farmers Market Week August 6 – 12, 2023! National Farmers Market Week serves as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the vital role that farmers markets play in Indigenous communities. This week not only acknowledges the contributions of local farmers but also highlights the cultural, social, and economic importance of these markets to certain communities. Indigenous communities, in particular, have a deep-rooted connection to their land and sustainable farming practices, making farmers markets a vital platform for preserving their traditions, enhancing food security, and fostering community resilience.

For Indigenous communities around the world, farming and agriculture have been integral to their cultural identity for centuries. National Farmers Market Week provides a stage to showcase the unique practices and wisdom that Indigenous farmers bring to their produce. These markets not only offer a space to share sustenance and traditional knowledge but also serves to sustain and revitalize crops, heirloom varieties, and local food systems that have been historically marginalized through colonization. By preserving their cultural heritage through the revitalization of farming practices, Indigenous communities can assert their identity, strengthen their sense of belonging, and pass down invaluable knowledge to future generations.

Food security continues to be a pressing issue faced by Indigenous communities, with many residing in remote locations where access to fresh and affordable produce is limited. National Farmers Market Week emphasizes the significant role farmers markets play in combating food insecurity. By providing a direct link between producers and consumers, these markets enhance food accessibility, especially for Indigenous communities that often face geographical, socio-economic, and historical barriers. The availability of locally grown, organic, and culturally relevant foods offers a sustainable solution to food deserts, ensuring that traditional diets are maintained and the health of the community is prioritized. By supporting local farmers, consumers indirectly contribute to the socio-economic development of indigenous communities, which is crucial for long-term sustainability and resilience.

National Farmers Market Week is a time to appreciate and celebrate the indomitable spirit of Indigenous farmers and the invaluable contributions they make to their communities and society as a whole. These farmers markets provide not only access to fresh, locally grown produce but also serve as platforms for cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and community resilience. Let us celebrate National Farmers Market Week!

On the White Mountain Apache Reservation in the high mountain desert of eastern Arizona, Ndée Bikíyaa, which translates to the Peoples’ Farm in Apache, sells onions, garlic and other select tribally-grown produce at a farmers market they set up at the local grocery store parking lot the first and third Fridays of the month.

Produce displayed at the Apache Harvest Festival. // Photo courtesy of Ndée Bikíyaa, The Peoples’ Farm

“We sell in the parking lot hoping to catch people with our local, high-quality fruits and vegetables before they go into the grocery store,” said Clayton Harvey, farm manager and tribal member. “We are really committed to serving our community.”

Though the farm has been hit a bit by the drought this year, like many producers across the country, Harvey says he’s looking forward to offering a larger variety of produce at the Apache Harvest Festival hosted by the farm on September 8, 2023. The festival, in it’s 11th year, features traditional Apache foods.

The Ndée Bikíyaa Farmer’s Market is located in the Basha’s parking lot in Whiteriver, Arizona, and runs from 10 a.m. to about 1 p.m. from June to mid-September or October, depending on the first frost.

More information also can be seen on the farm’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ndeebikiyaathepeoplesfarm.

Other tribal farmers markets:

Oneida Farmer’s Market in Wisconsin

The Oneida Nation of Wisconsin’s market, located about 6 miles west of Green Bay, is open every Thursday until the last Thursday in September.
https://oneida-nsn.gov/resources/oneida-community-integrated-food-systems/farmers-market. The hours are Noon to 6:00pm. It is located at N7332 Water Circle Place near the water tower in Oneida, and is about 6 miles west of Green Bay on Hwy 54.

Choctaw Fresh Produce in Mississippi

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians operates the Choctaw Farmers’ Market off Highway 16 West in the Pearl River Community from June through October.
www.choctaw.org/government/tribalServices/health/wic/farmersMarket.html
www.facebook.com/choctawfreshproduce

Sisters Farmers Market by Seed to Table:

Join us at the Sisters Farmers Market. Local food, music and fun. Weekly veggies, fruits, meats, eggs & artisanal goods. Sundays 10 am to 2 pm. June thru September. Fir Street Park, Sisters, Oregon. Visit our Website.

Come Thru Market:

Come Thru Black and Indigenous Market runs its market 1st and 3rd Mondays, May – October, 3-7pm. the Redd on Salmon Street, Portland.
www.sagchip.org/news.aspx?newsid=354#.W2iRJyhKiUk

Quapaw Farmers Market and Food Hub:

The Quapaw Farmers Market hosts a variety of local vendors selling produce, honey, crafts, Quapaw-brand products, and more as seasonal products become available. Visit our website or like us on Facebook.

Cully Farmers Market:

Indigenous led. Community focused. Cullys Farmers Market is open every Thursday, June 1st – August 31st, from 4 pm to 8 pm. Find us at 5011 NE 42nd Avenue, Portland. Visit our website or find us on Facebook.

The Four Sisters Farmers Market:

On Thursdays during the summer and fall the Native American Community Development Institute transforms its humble parking lot into a hub for community gathering, food distribution and knowledge sharing. It’s located at the corner of Franklin Ave and 15th Ave in Minneapolis within the American Indian Cultural Corridor. Visit us at The Market

Tribal Farmers Market on the Road:

The Mobile Farmers Market tours the country in a fuel-efficient cargo van with products from various tribes nationwide in tow. Their aim is to improve the access that tribal and non-tribal communities have to healthy traditional foods and to provide technical support for tribal communities that express interest in starting local farmers markets. The Mobile Farmers Market began their journey in the Great Lakes region and so far has stopped in regions of Washington, California, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.

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