The Farmers Market Friends held a meeting January 14th at St. Andrew Episcopal to discuss the situation of the Highland Park Farmers Market. The meeting was well attended and we've got a nice group of people who are willing to get involved - but we still need more support! If you haven't heard, the Highland Park Farmers Market (also known as the "Zoo" market) was slated to move from its current location to a less visible site on reservoir drive. I say, "was slated" because there is a possibility this move may be postponed, but this confusing detail drives the point home even harder - THE HIGHLAND PARK FARMERS MARKET NEEDS FRIENDS! So please come to the next meeting: Satuday, February 11, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Union Project (corner of Stanton and Negley) in its lovely atrium space. AGENDA: 1. Introductions. 2. Sierra Club's 15 minute video, THE TRUE COST OF FOOD. This work illustrates the critical place that farmers markets play in providing a sustainable alternative to mass industrial agriculture. It underscores that communities must create dyanmic, innovative farmers markets. 3. Quick recap of last meeting and updates from those who have been working on targeted activities 4. Exploring the concept and status of a "great marketplace" in the East End. IF YOU'RE NOT SURE YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED, KEEP READING... This market is one of the many wonderful features of life in Highland Park, and really, life in the East End of Pittsburgh. It has had its share of problems, not the least of which can be the traffic snarls when the zoo is closing. This alone has caused a number of people to abandon the market altogether, and that is truly a shame. And maybe, with more community support, the market might get a more ideal, maybe even permanent, location. Think about the best farmers markets you've been to, perhaps those in other states that have their own physical structure and great marketing - wouldn't it be nice to have a healthy, vibrant market in easy reach? Let's think about what farmers markets offers city neighborhoods, and you'll see that this market in particular deserves the support of the community. The Highland Park market has always attracted high quality vendors of fruits, vegetables, flowers, cheese, bread, specialty foods and prepared foods - Sand Hill Berry Farms, Harvest Valley Farms, Cinco de Mayo Salsa, Amish Cookies - just to name a few. When you go the market, you often meet the person who tended or raised or cooked or created the very wares you purchase; you are connected to your food in a way you just can't get at Giant Eagle or Whole Foods. Supporting the farmers market helps keep family farms strong and viable by returning dollars directly to the farmer; they see more of the fruits of their labor than they might if they sell to markets or wholesalers. Farmers markets preserve fertile soil; it keeps farmland from becoming McMansions, Pottery Barns and Walmarts - if we're not careful, we may turn around someday and have nowhere to grow our food. It take a lot of time and a lot of decomposing organic material to make topsoil; we must preserve what we have! Farmers markets help preserve green space, another important consideration when asphalt threatens to take over. Farmers markets offer a rich experience that can't be had at at grocery store; markets with plenty of support even have recreational or education programs to make the experience meaningful and memorable. Farmers markets provide the freshest food at a reasonable price to urban environments, to people who might otherwise never get a truly fresh apple or green pepper or strawberry. I'm out of time and attention spans ;-) but I'm sure you may have some good reasons of your own...and if you still need convincing, check out www.farmersmarketfriends.org. You can email me back or call DeeAnna Cavinee, FMF founder at 412.576.9355. RSVPs are not required but would be welcome to help us provide refreshments. Hope to see you there! Michelle Belan michelle@belancreative.com