If you haven’t done so already, please listen to Krista Tippett interviewing Mike Rose on Speaking of Faith. “An expansive reflection on work, education, and civic imagination with an esteemed researcher and teacher at UCLA and a poetic writer. We explore his perspective, through life and scholarship, on hard subjects that drive to the heart of who we are — literacy, schooling, social class, and the deepest meaning of vocation.”
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/meaning-of-intelligence-2/
In the western world, manual labor tends to be looked down upon; those working with their hands are perceived to be less intelligent. Being a gardener, I have experienced this firsthand. My gardening career began in 1989; I finally found something that I loved to do. But what I found really interesting was other people’s reactions to my work. It would vary between “you like gardening?” and “you are so lucky to have your job”. In addition, often I could see a visible change in attitude when it was learned that I actually have a college degree; my interpretation being: “oh, she’s smart, she’s just choosing to garden”.
I bring this up because the price of food is a hot topic; one of our vendors recently related to me that most folks at the markets understand and appreciate the intense labor involved with growing and selling fresh produce. (And the work not only involves manual labor, but careful planning, extensive research, mathematics, science and more). But some folks just don’t get that there is absolutely no comparison between what is sold locally at a farmers’ market and what can be purchased at Walmart. By questioning a farmer’s prices, the unintentional consequence is that the customer is questioning the worth of the farmer’s work. Why would one person’s time, energy and livelihood have more value than another’s?
High-quality, sustainably grown food is essential; please share in my reverence for our hard working farmers and food producers.
Vendors:
Blaze Gourmet, Blue Sage Farm, The Bonbon Bake Shop, Foodgazi Farms, Hickory Acres Meats of Oberlin, Godmother’s Pizza, Humble Pie Baking Co., Lucky Penny Creamery, Morningside Farm, Ms. Julie’s Kitchen, Noon Sharpening, No Whey Chocolates, Ohio Farm Direct, Plant Kingdom Bakery, Por-Bar Farm, Posh Pierogies, Red Basket Farm, Red Cedar Coffee, The Spicehound, Tremont Digs, Tremont Urban Food System (TUFS), t. by Sarah, Woolf Farms, and Wonder City Farm.
Vendor Highlights:
Woolf Farms: Molly Delicious— a most deserved name!
5PM Chef Demo: Melody Caraballo of TFM vendor, Foodgazi Farm is our featured chef this week. Melody is a chef with many hat: farmer, teacher, health advisor. Check out the Foodgazi blog: http://foodgazi.blogspot.com/. Melody also addresses the “cost” of eating fresh foods!
Joining us at market this week: Earth Day Coalition!
Earth Day Coalition works to protect Ohio’s environment, quality of life and public health through pollution prevention, student leadership, cleaner transportation, sustainable development, and EarthFest, Ohio’s largest environmental education event. Stop by our booth and “Spin the Wheel” — answer a question about our environment and win a FREE LED lightbulb! And don’t forget to celebrate Earth Day at EarthFest on Sunday April 17, 2011 at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
We proudly accept WIC, Senior’s Coupons and EBT!
Let folks know about the EBT Incentive Pilot Program. EBT (SNAP) users receive an extra $5 when they purchase at least $5 at TFM and 3 other participating farmers’ markets: Coit Rd FM, Kamm’s Corners FM, and the Downtown FM at Public Square. More info: http://employment.cuyahogacounty.us/
Say hi to Greg Tomasi, who offers FREE 5-10 minute Reiki Sessions!
Please remember to thank the folks who haul your garbage, mow your lawn, or otherwise do the work that you don’t want to do.
Peace,
Jody