Last week, the Burke Area Farmers Market joined markets across the county in celebrating National Farmers Market Week 2024. Cahoy’s Kitchen had brisket tacos, Jacinta Tietgen performed a live music set, Modern Woodman offered customer discounts, and the Burke Public Library had a children’s event. We gave away 31 door prizes that highlighted the creativity and abundance of our market vendors – plus one prize for our annual photo booth contest winner. Congrats, Ashley and Mike Green!
National Farmers Market Week Photo Booth Contest - August 8, 2024
By many metrics, it was the largest market we have ever held, and it was a beautiful way to celebrate being voted the No. 1 market in South Dakota for a second year in a row.
Our market continues to draw large crowds and customers from all over because it is built in partnership with stakeholders. Designed by the people it serves for the people it serves—vendors and customers alike—we make sure it’s fun, welcoming, and worth everyone’s time to show up. Our mission is “growing healthy food, families, and communities” because we know markets are not only access points for food systems and security, but are also abundant sources of connection and community. Ours is an activated space for farmers, bakers, ranchers, crafters, shoppers, and friends to collaborate to serve the ever-changing needs of our community.
We make shopping and paying as fair and easy as possible, and we are successfully processing SNAP payments because we know that’s one essential tool for food access that we can use. When children have access to SNAP they live longer, invest more in human capital, are more economically self-sufficient, live in better neighborhoods, and are less likely to be incarcerated.
That’s the power of nourishment.
We are increasing access to food and meal security, but we are also delighting ourselves with the pleasure of eating food grown and prepared by our neighbors. We regularly share recipes featuring market staples on our blog column From Market to Plate, which you can scroll through in its entirety on our website. We celebrate local chefs like Amanda Konechne, Tarell Bauld, the Platte Locker and Dakota Cuban by inviting them to share supper with us each week. We nosh on Tom Glover's carrots, but never miss a fresh Amish donut from the Yoders.
So as we bask in the glory of our No. 1 Market status, we do it always in deep gratitude for every single person who has supported the market this season, and since 2012. We are so thankful to celebrate together with you.
Sincerely—
The BAFM Board of Directors
Dog Days market - August 1, 2024
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