The People's Market

In Portland, Oregon, where I currently reside, there is an abundance of farmer’s markets. Some, like the one down the street from me, operate year-round. This easy access to quality local foods is one of the top reasons I made the move here. Recently, on a trip back to my home state of Ohio, I was delighted to see that a small farmer’s market had begun, offering goods such as high quality pastured meats, natural soaps, and, of course, organic produce. It was heartening to find that quality foods have been made available to my friends and family; however, in spite of this small gain, access to locally grown and raised foods is still modest in many places, especially compared to what’s available in Portland. Not only is there a contrast in the size of the markets and the variety of goods available, but the Portland markets also provide access to a wider range of people.

​At the Portland markets, qualifying Oregonians can apply for, and utilize, funds made available to low income households through the Supplemental Nutritional Aid Program. In fact, it’s even common for vendors to match up to five dollars spent. This arrangement helps to improve the overall ability of more individuals to maintain a healthy diet, and it also incentivizes people to bring their assistance dollars to the local agriculture industry. This is powerful for many reasons.

​Open air markets eliminate much of the packaging and shipping that contributes to widespread environmental pollution. Also, generally, the farming practices of those participants are much better for the environment, and consumers invested in the humane treatment of livestock can find alternatives to the infamous conditions of animals found in much of the meat industry. Additionally, in terms of nutrition, you can count on these markets to provide a greater supply of unprocessed goods, void of the harmful preservatives and other added chemicals commonly found in food products.

It’s easy to ask people to eat high quality foods, but the reality of implementing those practices is much more difficult. These foods are typically less abundant and more expensive. As individuals who see the benefits of local markets, it is our responsibility to support them and help them thrive in our communities. Purchasing from local vendors and patronizing these markets is the first step, but in order to effect widespread change, we must take it a step further by educating and marketing to our communities, both online and in person, or perhaps even by vending goods ourselves. Sustenance farming can come from a modest plot of land, and many artisan products can be inexpensively produced. The more products available, the more attraction there will be for people to shop a locally fueled market, and the more those markets are patronized, the cheaper those high quality foods will become.

No matter the cost, the return for the money we put into high quality foods is very good. Over half of the American population is either diabetic or pre-diabetic. By prioritizing quality food, we can turn this statistic around, saving ourselves the financial damages that accompany a chronic disease diagnosis. In addition to the financial return, we are also rewarded emotionally and socially because these foods promote the practices of cooking meals and communal dining, which can improve mental health and combat lethargy and depression.
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The key to success is prioritizing: our time, our money, and our efforts. There are plenty of avenues and resources out there, but as long as they lie under-utilized we will continue to see increased incidences of disease and rising healthcare costs. We need to work together to encourage one another to make better choices and to help our communities embrace positive change so that, together, we can rise to the challenges that face us.

about Alexander Arrington