“Healthy Communities” - what does that mean? It obviously means that that the members of the community are healthy individuals and there is ample data that comes across my computer every week that confirms that farmers’ markets are a big part of communities that seem to care about their personal and collective health and fitness.
A healthy community is also a vibrant community; a community that shares its natural and cultural resources and one that has numerous reasons to interact and places to do that.
A farmers’ market – especially in the suburbs – is a wonderful opportunity for all kind of interactions. According to the Project for Public Spaces, there is a clear correlation between social interaction and community health. One of their many studies of this phenomenon reveals that when you shop at a market you have between 15-20 social interactions but while in the grocery store, you will normally have no more than two.
We see this happening at every market – people and children interacting with the vendors and each other about their lives. Most of this conversation is prompted by a shared sense of community coalescing around food and food experiences. Shoppers spontaneously share their culture at a market – they talk about how they cook and serve their favorite foods. They pick up recipes at the Smart Markets table and talk about them with strangers; they watch as their children make friends-for-the-market-day, share market samples and squeal with delight as they run through the market where everyone feels safe and welcome. Where else does that happen on a regular basis in the ‘burbs?
Information is shared, music is enjoyed (and often danced to), and teaching is provided for anyone wanting to know more about how to cook what they see at the market. We witness more than just the exchange of money for product; we see an exchange of ideas and interest, of commitment and values and above all an abiding interest in fresh food prepared lovingly at home. This is where healthy families come to nurture a healthy community. Come join us – we have plenty of room to grow.
You can find Smart Markets Farmers’ Market every Sunday from 10am to 2pm at the NADA grounds at 8400 Westpark Drive. Enjoy fresh produce, goods, meats, and prepared delicacies in the heart of Tysons.
