Our summer Farmers’ Market is a long-running partnership between St. John’s and Holy Apostles Episcopal Church. This joint effort brings farmers from the Hmong parish of Holy Apostles to sell fresh produce to the Summit Hill/Ramsey Hill neighborhood each summer. It is a great alternative to the large, busy farmers’ markets in the city. The Fields to Families program collects donations at the market and uses them to buy fresh produce for delivery to local food shelves. As this year’s market season begins, we invited some of our parishioners to share their memories and reflections about this vibrant ministry.
Fresh food, fresh air, fresh perspectives about the neighborhood: those are three reasons I support SJE’s Farmers’ Market. Sunday morning in the parking lot is a priority for my summer schedule and I treasure the conversations with our farmers, neighbors and fellow parishioners. I buy vegetables and flowers for the coming week and anticipate the progression of each crop: lettuce and onions, then berries, then peas and beans, then so many kinds of produce that the trucks and tables are loaded.
– Linda Lindeke
The atmosphere is joyful: celebrating being outdoors and taking in all the sensorial delights of the produce, sharing the bounty. People respect the farmers, their hard work, and their spirit of sharing.
The market has fresh tomatoes, lettuce, corn, potatoes, raspberries — yum! And it has Phoua’s flower arrangements. People carry their bouquets like prize treasures.
Volunteering is very rewarding. Guests are amazed to hear about how donations at the market help bring food to hungry families through area food shelves. On occasion I’m asked about the church itself! I’ve given plenty of tours to interested market patrons.
– Sally Sand
I’ve always signed up for the early shift (8-9:30am) which is often while the farmers are still setting out trays and baskets of their produce, especially when it’s peak season and the tables are overflowing. The early birds who stop by are a mix of those who know about the market and are intent on buying specific items (and making a donation), and others who are out walking, running, or biking and are just encountering the market for the first time. Everyone seems happy to find a little gem with so many beautiful things to see and buy within walking distance.
– Michelle Wall
Getting to know our hard-working farmers has been delightful and enriching to me. Phoua’s bouquets are blessings. The congregation’s visit to Wana and Teng’s home a few years ago was wonderful and enlightening!
I enjoy volunteering as a market host because of the chance to interact with our neighbors (and many of their dogs.) It’s such a nice way to spend the morning.
I am so proud of our church’s regular contributions of beautiful, healthy, delicious produce to three food distribution programs in the Twin Cities. No one should be hungry when the Earth is so bountiful.
– Barbara Lindeke
Click here if you’d like to make a donation to the Fields to Families program (choose the “Farmers’ Market” fund from the drop-down tab).
