West Seattle Weblog… | African Neighborhood Housing & Growth bringing new month-to-month farmers’ market to South Delridge

South Delridge is about to get a farmers market. Here is the announcement we just received:

On June 12, 2021 the Delridge Farmers Market opens in the South Delridge neighborhood of West Seattle. The USDA-designated food desert has long struggled with access to food for its diverse population. This market seeks to put fresh, local food produced by BIPOC’s own businesses directly into the hands of the neighborhood’s residents.

Non-profit with a mission to serve the African diaspora immigrant and refugee community in King County African Community Housing & Developmentunder the direction of the Executive Director Hamdi Abdulle, has heard from the community for years about the need for food access programs in Delridge. With the support of several new donors, the Delridge Farmers Market pilot year is the first step in that direction. The market is designed to provide the immigrant and refugee community in the region with a wide range of culturally appropriate foods. The main goal of the market is to provide local, nutritious food to all people with robust food access programs, especially families for whom fresh produce is a financial struggle.

The majority of the providers are colored people. Many are immigrants and refugees themselves. Small business development is another goal of the market. Unlike most farmers markets in the Seattle area, vendors are not charged a booth fee to attend. They will receive resources, equipment, and technical support as they build their capacity to sell in farmers markets. In addition, ACHD seeks to reduce the economic risk of selling at a farmers market and eliminate food waste by buying leftover product at the end of the market day. This food is then delivered to members of the immigrant and refugee community of the African diaspora who are unable to participate in the market due to mobility or transport barriers. “We hope to create a market model that is win-win-win for customers, vendors and the community,” said ACHD Associate Director Aden rating.

In the course of 2021, different providers will be present in the market, including: Afella Jollof Catering (African spice mixes), Chef Jalissa Culinary Co. (Southern-inspired baked goods), CityFruit (Fruit from the urban orchards of Seattle), The Grub Bus Food truck (innovative comfort food), Lillie’s passion (lovingly made sauces, cucumbers and jams), Moonvillage Bakery (delicious baked goods), Regeneration farm (sustainably grown products from Woodinville), Sariwa Farm (Filipino Vegetables), Seola Bee Company (hyperlocal honey from beehives in West Seattle), Small ax farm (products grown by the Black Farmers Collective), Unity is power (products grown by Burundian immigrants) and farmers (culturally relevant African products).

The market takes place every second Saturday of the month from June to November 2021 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the inner courtyard of Hope Academy (9421 18th Ave SW). Everyone is welcome, and robust food access programs are available to all families with unsafe food (including SNAP / EBT, WIC / Senior, SNAP Market Match, and Fresh Bucks). Masks are required and social distancing protocol is enforced.

The Delridge Farmers Market is made possible by the King Conservation District, the Albertsons Foundation, and the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. People interested in participating in the market or volunteering should visit it achdo.org/delridgefarmersmarket. Companies interested in sponsorship opportunities can contact Rachel at rachel@achdo.org.