Marla Martin doesn’t drive a car anymore, due to health issues. The Gary resident finds the bus to be a great alternative when shopping, and a recent program, Broadway Metro Markets, has made that chore a little easier.
“I just heard that there’s going to be a close Farmers Markets that I can go to,” she said, while waiting on Broadway for her bus. “That’s good news, I love fresh veggies.”
According to David Wright, planning director of Gary Public Transit, the idea for Farmers Markets to be located near the bus line came from conversation with staff of Purdue University Extension.
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Terri Saltzman and Erin Sherrow-Hayse of that organization have been working to eliminate food deserts in Northwest Indiana, he said.
“Combined with our desire to bring visibility and activity to our bus stops, this seemed a particularly novel and logical idea for the area,” Wright added. “The launch of the Broadway Metro Express transit service on Broadway afforded us the opportunity to test the concept of pop-up farmer’s markets near stops.”
One recent market located on Carolina Street was manned by members of Progressive Community Church, which has partnered with separate entity FAITH (Families Anchored in Total Harmony) Farms. The entity planted four hoop houses (full of various produce to be sold) on ground next to the church. This is where the market was set up.
“I feel that because we are considered a food desert, we don’t always have access to healthy food for our community,” said farm administrator and church member Freida Graves. “It is important to offer fresh, healthy food conveniently. A lot of people in our community lack transportation, not to mention revenue to be able to afford organic food.”
FAITH Farms offers just that — their beans, squash, peppers, carrots and other miscellaneous produce are organically grown, literally right in their own back yard.
GPTC does not actually implement markets, according to Wright.
“We are not experts. Rather, we asked agencies and organizations with existing farmer’s markets if they’d like to coordinate schedules and operate as a single ‘series’ of markets,” he said. “The program, to date, has proved beneficial in all areas.”
That translates into the decision to continue the Broadway Metro Markets program next season.
“Though we are quite pleased (with this initial effort), we think there is lots of room to grow,” Wright added. “We will assess ways to improve in the offseason, in particular a higher level of marketing and outreach to make sure those who live and work near the markets will get more advance notice of the events.”
