Our neighborhood has changed in a lot of good (and bad) ways. One of the nice changes is the Bed-Stuy Farmer's Market. Clay and I volunteered for a few hours yesterday morning to help them set up. We plan to volunteer as much as we can. The market was brought to the neighborhood by The Brooklyn Rescue Mission and Bed-Stuy Farm. First of all, I had no idea we have a farm in our neighborhood. The mission and the farm were founded by Rev. Robert Jackson and Rev. DeVanie Jackson. The farm is amazing. Rows and rows of collards, zucinni, kale, broccoli, and there's even a fig tree. Rev. Jackson was happy to give us a tour. Clay took a lot of pictures which you can see on his flickr.
The Brooklyn Rescue Mission takes what they grow from the garden and gives it to needy people in the community. They're doing good work and this farmer's market falls in line with their mission to get people in the neighborhood eating more healthfully.
The market runs every Saturday from 8am until 1pm. It's on Malcolm X Blvd between Chauncey and Marion Streets, right near the tennis courts. They need volunteers and shoppers! Come out and visit if you're in the neighborhood or make a special trip if you can. I hear next week there will be peaches and tomatillos!