In the summer of 2022, Providence Farm Collective (PFC) established a farmers market on Grant Street, operated by immigrant and refugee farmers. Due to the PFC Farmers Market’s initial success, PFC will once again roll out the market, starting Saturday, June 24, 2023. The successful effort is thanks in part to a multi-year USDA Farmers Market Promotion Program grant.
Similar to last year, the farmers market will be held at M&T Bank at 130 Grant Street. The market will take place every Saturday, through October 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m, rain or shine.
The 2023 PFC Farmers Market will include 16 vendors selling a variety of vegetables including African and Asian staples such as Tanzania maize, Liberian bitter ball, speciality hot peppers, and roselle.
The market is in place to provide healthy, wholesome, locally sourced food items to residents of the West Side, many of which are immigrants and refugees. I paid a visit to the market during its initial run, and was thoroughly impressed by the range of produce, flowers, and the welcoming nature of the marketeers.
“We are excited to announce that as an anchor member of the West Side Promise Neighborhood, Rich Products Corporation is partnering with PFC to provide $5 Farmers Market Vouchers for SNAP beneficiaries*,” said markets manager Hamadi Ali.
The immigrant and refugee farmers are able to sell at the market thanks to a dedicated 37 acres of farmland in Orchard Park, which is amply providing for immigrants and refugees who might not otherwise have land to farm. In turn, the families of the farmers, and the community itself, reaps the rewards from the arrangement.
“I farm at PFC to increase my income and benefit my community,” said Hawa Mohamed of Boolo Barwaqo Farm. “Whatever I’m farming there, I sell to my community, and my community gets more fresh food!”
Providence Farm Collective has become a hometown hero organization in a relatively short period of time. Anyone looking to make a donation to this invaluable cause, can do so on PFC’s website. Or simply stop by the market and purchase some super fresh, relatively inexpensive produce, much of which you can’t find anywhere else. After all, these are farmers who come from an entirely different way of life, which is reflected in their unique bounty.
*The vouchers will be distributed at the market to customers. Last season, $6,777 in sales by PFC farmers at the market were made to low-income customers via Farmers Market Checks, Double Up Food Bucks and Tokens, and SNAP.
PFC’s vision of empowering just and equitable access to food and farmland includes offering SNAP/Food Stamp benefits and Double Up Food Bucks Program to its customers, prioritizing increased fresh food access for all.