Alkon and McCullen’s article "Whiteness and Farmers
Markets: Performances, Perpetuations . . . Contestations?" explores
how farmers markets, often seen as progressive and community-oriented, can
reinforce racial privilege by centering whiteness in their culture,
participation, and accessibility. The authors argue that structural barriers,
such as land ownership and economic disparities, limit farmers of color from
participating, while aesthetic and behavioral norms make these markets feel
exclusionary to non-white and working-class individuals. Despite these
challenges, the article highlights efforts to contest whiteness in farmers
markets by promoting inclusivity through diverse vendors, accepting food
assistance programs, and fostering cultural representation. Ultimately, the
authors call for a more intentional approach to equity in food movements.
One of the article’s key ideas is that environmentalism in
the United States often focuses on preventing human interference in nature,
rather than fostering a healthy relationship between humans and the
environment. A more effective approach, I believe, would emphasize ways for
humans and nature to coexist and support one another. Since it is unrealistic
to eliminate human impact entirely, efforts should focus on creating
sustainable, mutually beneficial interactions. Agrifood movements, in some
ways, are attempting to establish this connection by promoting local and
sustainable food systems.
The Allentown Farmers Market serves as an interesting case
study in examining the demographics of both customers and vendors. Based on my
own observations, I would not say that white people make up the overwhelming
majority of attendees. Instead, the customer base appears to be roughly a 50/50
split between white individuals and people of color. The vendors, however, skew
slightly more white, at approximately a 70/30 ratio. It’s important to consider
the demographics of the surrounding area—Allentown is a large, diverse city
with a significant non-white population. While this is only one example, the
article suggests that in many other parts of the country, farmers markets are
primarily frequented by white customers. This raises the question of whether
the age of a farmers market influences the demographics of both sellers and
buyers.
A significant issue with the performance of whiteness in
farmers markets is the general public’s lack of awareness about who actually
grows their food. The article provides examples of people who believe they are
purchasing directly from farmers, assuming that those selling produce at
farmers markets are the ones who grew it. While this may be true in some cases,
the reality—especially in large-scale agriculture—is that much of the labor is
done by minority farmworkers, primarily people of color. Many consumers are
unaware that the person selling them food at a farmers market is often not the
person who grew or harvested it. Regional differences play a role in this
issue. Based on my experience, this is somewhat less pronounced in our area but
remains a major concern, particularly on the West Coast, where farm labor is
overwhelmingly done by migrant and minority workers.