Whiteness and Farmer’s Markets

This reading addresses the underlying whiteness within farmers markets in California, that Alkon and McCullen claim is “perpetuated through the movements’ discourses and practices.” I align with the goal of just sustainability and ensuring that green economic growth benefits all people, especially minority and marginalized people. Still, I think it is important to point out the narrowness of the study and its ethnographic data. Two Northern California farmers markets certainly will not be representative of every farmers market across the United States and beyond. So, the concepts illustrated within this study might vary and/or contrast when a farmers market in chosen within a differing geological area. The ethnographic, economic, and social differences within farmers markets could be more accurately represented, in my opinion, by sampling- further expanding the study- from a wider span of so-called “farmers markets.” What I wonder is: what even is a farmers market? Under the umbrella of the term “farmers markets” you can find overpriced, over-romanticized, markets with gormet chefs and, yes, wealthy white people shopping (and selling). But farmers markets are also the (maybe less glorified within media) more traditional produce stands from a variety of people. In my eyes, its hard to even classify these things under the same term: it is misleading, and potentially means something different to each person.

I think the connotations that can come from the phrase “farmers markets” is an important one to address. I think farmers markets have become glorified and commercialized, and, now, potentially misrepresent the communities that make up them and that they are supposed to be helping to lift up. There is definitely a potential for farmers markets to increase the equality of sustainably, and I understand that there are issues that need to be addressed within the movement. I also just think this study does not tell the full story.