by Kamila Love
You could easily pass or overlook this gathering of local artisans and farmers. The West End Community Market is tucked away behind Freedom First Credit Union, 1210 Patterson Ave. SW. Once you drive around the back you will see several tables set up displaying fresh produce, home grown eggs, baked goodies, and handmade art . You will also find Mr. West the horse, the mascot of the community market.
The market runs all year round: Every Tuesday from 3pm-6pm rain, snow or shine. So if you are getting off from work or just on your break this is a very convenient time for shopping.
The West End Community Market was started in 2010 by Brent Cochran. “We wanted a place where people could eat healthy and so we thought we’d bring a market to this west end area and incorporate the SNAP benefits (which is part of the Food Stamp Program), so we all could eat healthy,” says Elbert (Tee) Reynolds, market coordinator.
Tee has been with the market since 2011. He continued to explain that the program doubles the snap benefits. For example if a participant wants to use $10 of their food stamps, the LEAP for Local Food Program would give them $20 in tokens. “That gives everybody a chance to benefit from nutritious eating.” Tee is very active as market coordinator/manager, inviting people passing by to check out the market, which they can’t help doing since he is such a friendly and pleasant man. He interacts with both customers and vendors, making sure that everyone all around is satisfied with their market experience.
Speaking about the West End Market, Sam Lev, who is market coordinator of both the West End Community Market and The Grandin Village Community Market, says “The market has moved around over the past few years from various locations but after they build the bank, we came over here. This is our second year in our now permanent location. “The West End Market is 12 months a year and The Grandin Village Community Market runs from April through October behind the Co-op.”
A community kitchen is under construction at the west end location and will be open by late spring or summer of 2016. The goal of the kitchen is to familiarize the community with food they may not be accustomed to. So the goal is about getting the community to try new foods and learn how to prepare them.
The West End Community Market presently has up to 8 vendors, while the seasonal market has 18-20 vendors with its hours being Saturdays from 8am-12 noon.
“Community participation is what we are trying to get to, states Tee Reynolds. If we get the community to participate that makes a stronger market. I haven’t seen a tree that stands up without its strong roots, and the root of this market would be the community,” So please participate and support the West End Community Market, every Tuesday 3pm-6pm, 1210 Patterson Ave. SW
