By Dawn Scotland
The Truth Reporter
There has been uproar on social media regarding the City of Toledo’s Produce Pop Up Market at Swayne Field Shopping Center. The market, a pilot program of the city which had an opening this past Friday, September 4, will exclusively feature food vendor Al Peake & Sons and Daughter Too.
While the location is in the heart of the community the prevailing outcry is that the produce is not.
The situation was relayed by a number of people on social media, including Alexicia Sims of Community United and community member Inflowwetrust.
Urban Wholistics Founder and Executive Director Sonia Flunder McNair has an urban farm located in the center city at 619 Woodland in the Art Tatum district. For 10 years she has championed urban farming within the community, cultivating local produce, educating youth and adults on farming and employing community members to work.
The concern has been raised that the request for proposal to become a vendor at the city’s new market was never received by Flunder McNair and other farmers. Additionally, the discourse is that while this initiative created by the city aims to support the Black community, it should also reflect the community in which is serves and circulate money within it.
“Don’t sleep on the people doing this work,” stated Flunder McNair. “Our supporters are residents. They are taxpayers. They are voters. Many of them are the same people who show up when government asks the community to support levies, initiatives and investments even when it means paying a little more because we believe it will strengthen our city. So when it is time to invest those public resources back into our neighborhoods, is it unreasonable for us to expect that same support? We support this city. We expect this city to support us,” she added.
To many, the situation at Swayne Field is not new, but a continuing jab to a community that has been overlooked, underserved and underrepresented for decades.
Members of the community gathered to create an alternative Pop Up Market at Urban Wholistics’ Farm (619 Woodland) this past Friday, September 4 and Saturday, September 5 from 10-3 p.m. The two days featured the local farmer’s food for sale, bought awareness of the farm, educated the community about growing and cooking healthy produce and put Black farming on display.
The event was organized by Alexicia Sims and Infloww WeTrust.
“This was a great turnout. We were very proud to be able to invite the community to a space that already existed, said co-organizer Alexicia Sims. “It’s all about educating the community. That’s what we’re here for.”
On Saturday, the event saw over 200 people. The event went through over 250 bags, just in that one day.
“Which was the goal. One of the goals was not only to inform but for people to support and know that it’s here,” stated co-organizer Infloww WeTrust
“This is probably one of the greatest things that I’ve seen in a while, as far as just community,” stated co-organizer Infloww WeTrust. “It’s inspiring. That’s what I really want people to understand. Even if you just come out to see it. The visual of being able to see what community looks like when people are actually moving on one accord is inspiring.”
“I want people to understand that this is a necessity. This isn’t just a fly by. Everybody needs to be a part of it, everybody needs to see it, everybody need to put their foot on land and see it and involved themselves. I want everybody to come.”
Among Saturday’s attendees was state Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson, who has had an interest in urban farming for quite a while.
“I’ve been working with urban farming and urban farmers for a number of years. And everything that we can do to support this industry is vital not only to our community, but to the local farmers because they are the ones that are doing this for business purposes. And when you think about how we can grow within our neighborhoods and build up wealth, all those things are great and important to do.
“Sonia has been working, as well as Mr. [David] Johnson, Mr. [Thomas] Jackson, and other Black farmers who have been in our community for a long time. And I really think that when you have other folks talk about food deserts, they need to be more accurate because it’s not a food desert. What it is, is the ability to have fresh vegetables. And while I’m glad that the city is looking into this. You cannot legislate from the 21st floor. You gotta come and talk to the people who are the experts, and the experts are the ones that I just mentioned. And working in collaboration with them means that you listen to them and you work together on a plan, and come up with solutions to address the issue of nutrition, the issue of education because urban agriculture is more than just food. It’s also healing a community. And the atmosphere in this neighborhood has dramatically changed since Sonia started and continuing on.”
Flunder McNair was ecstatic about the community’s participation.
“I feel like a million bucks. I don’t even need a million bucks. It’s the feeling. And I’m just so appreciative of your support and everything you do,” stated Flunder McNair to the organizers at the end of the event as they discussed next steps.
The next Pop up Produce event will be Thursday, (9/10) 12-5pm and Saturday (10-3pm. (There will be no event Friday in observance of September 11). There will be other local famers contributing to the effort.
The organizers invite vendors and entrepreneurs to come out. They can be reached on their social media pages (Facebook and Instagram) @Alexicia Sims and @Infloww We Trust.
To learn more about Urban Wholistics and SOrganics visit her website urbanwholistics.org or social media pages.
