Alkon and McCullen - Whiteness and Farmers Markets: Sorrel

     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.