As local farmers markets come to a close for the season, access to fresh, healthy and sustainable food remains available for our community.
Popular belief leads us to think that fresh produce becomes scarce in the late fall and winter months, but area farmers are sharing their knowledge of the surprising range of fresh flavors that are available.
The first step in taking advantage of late season produce is knowing where to find it. The Spokane area hosts a number of community gardens and locally owned farms, many of which are more than eager to connect with the public and educate about resources.
One of the most popular farmers markets in the area is the Perry Street Thursday Market, located at 924 S. Perry St. in the heart of an emerging Spokane neighborhood and small business district.
“I’m always so happy to see my favorites here,” said Scott Miller, a frequent customer of the Thursday Market. “It’s a great space.”
One of the many vendors that participates in the market every week is the Ace of Spades farm, owned and operated by Alex Ekins and Amy Dolomont.
Ace of Spades farm cultivates organic produce on a very small piece of land just outside of downtown Spokane, but are a mighty force in Spokane’s food community.
Ace of Spades farm participates in a variety of community supported agriculture programs that offer delivery services of seasonally appropriate and available produce to both local businesses and individuals. These programs offer fresh greens for up to 10 weeks at a time in the winter months.
“It’s basically an extended seasons pass to the farm,” said Alex Ekins, co-owner of Ace of Spades. “There’s nothing quite like fresh food in the middle of winter.”
There are also resources for fresh food on the SFCC campus. The ASG facilitates the Second Harvest Food Bank in the Student Union Building that will be hosting a end of season farmers market of their own on Oct. 18. The SFCC food bank helps to assists over 1,000 students and their families every academic quarter (Community Colleges of Spokane).
Having access to farmers markets both on campus and in the Spokane community make it easy for students to take more control of their nutritional needs while still abiding by a student budget.