Sunday, May 04, 2014

Of greengrocers, farmers markets, Seeds and Greens ... and urban food.

Like I was saying just the other day.

Applying the Bloomington solution to New Albany's farmers market.

... We'd be moving the center of farmers market gravity a few blocks west, which is good for Westendia. Putting some love into this area might encourage Schmitt Furniture to uncover its windows. Furthermore, there'd be a natural affinity between the farmers market and the forthcoming Seeds and Greens Natural Market and Deli.

You remember the forthcoming Seed and Greens, right?

Seeds and Greens Natural Market and Deli coming to downtown New Albany in Fall, 2014.

 ... Stacey Freibert, owner of Seeds and Greens Natural Market and Deli, says the re-model will begin June 1st and the store expects to open the fall of 2014 in downtown New Albany. Seeds and Greens will sell organic and local produce, natural hormone free dairy products, local meats and free-range eggs.

Not to mention the old Wolfe's grocery building, awaiting adaptive reuse. I'm headed toward a link to NPR (thanks B), but before we go there, a gentle reminder that the words "big-spending locavores" should be lofting more than a few red flags. We have enough problem with inequality as it is, wouldn't you say?

How do we make the connection between localism in food and those of us incapable of being "big-spending"?

Urban Greengrocers Are Back, To Serve Big-Spending Locavores, by Maanvi Singh (NPR)

 ... It's a new version of the old-school neighborhood market, which is popping up in cities across the country. There's Urban Radish and Cookbook in Los Angeles, Farm to Market in Austin, and Milk and Honey Market in Philadelphia — to name just a few.

These aren't your parents' big-box grocery stores. They're closer to the places your grandparents might have shopped — but updated for the modern foodie.

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