Hello Y'all
I am excited to share July's local spotlight, the brand-new Darlington Farmers Market! This market is a non-profit run by passionate farms and local citizens to support our local producers while also providing a valuable service to the Darlington and greater community! And starting this week, August 1st the market will be INSIDE! An air-conditioned farmers market is a novelty but I think it should be a necessity! And I am so excited to join them as an art vendor! Check out my event calendar for the current dates I am signed up for, and check the Rebecca Powell Facebook page for any last-minute changes to my event calendar.
"Small towns thrive because of their citizens and we wanted to bring a market that could feed and help its people. Food brings people together and we hope that providing affordable, fresh foods and crafts will bring people back to this small town."
Continue reading to learn about this new Darlington Farmers Market!
Tell us about the new Darlington Farmers Market!
DFM is a local non-profit market put together by Darlington County citizens to help bring the producers to the people. Food and arts bring people together and that is what we are striving to do. Our hope is to not only help create a thriving market in downtown Darlington but also help bring affordable healthy food choices and opportunities back to a small town.
What was the push or moment that made y'all take the leap of faith and start the Darlington Farmers Market?
The city of Darlington has become a shadow of what it once was. We all see the surrounding communities growing and thriving so local citizens, like Tim Griggs, Thomas and Lyndsey Chapman, Tamara Kirven, and more, came together to bring a little bit of love back to Darlington. Small towns thrive because of their citizens and we wanted to bring a market that could feed and help its people. Food brings people together and we hope that providing affordable, fresh foods and crafts will bring people back to this small town.
What sets Darlington Farmers Market apart from other regional markets?
We have an indoor air-conditioned market that will run all year. We will only have a weekly market but you will have a comfortable space all year long to find your local goods.
How does the Darlington Farmers Market help support our local agricultural community?
We help local farmers and producers by giving them a space to set up at an affordable price as well as providing goods to the citizens at an affordable price. We are a non-profit so all of our earnings go back into the market to help local farmers and business owners obtain licenses or credentials they need. During the slow seasons, we hope to focus on education and crafts to still support our local producers as well as educate their citizens. We are also working on becoming SNAP and EBT eligible and participating in nutrition programs to help the citizens be able to afford a healthier lifestyle.
Where does your passion for the farmers and craftsmen come from?
A love of our community. We are a local group of farmers, producers, and citizens who want to bring their love of their craft and county back to the people and places that helped form us. Some of our board members have generational farms and have been doing this their whole life, they want to share their art with the local citizens, whereas others are just local volunteers who love their community and will do whatever they can to see this community grow.
What is your biggest lesson thus far while starting the market?
Patience, Communication, and Passion. Passion is the easy part. We have a strong group of passionate citizens who are doing everything they can to help make this market thrive. The biggest lesson learned so far is that good things come to those who wait. You might not like how long it takes but you will be rewarded if you have a little patience. Non-profits can be difficult, but if you communicate well with your board and everyone is helping as they can, things will slowly start to fall into place. We've only started but because of our passions, our willingness to communicate, and a whole lot of patience, we hope to see this market blossom beyond all of our dreams.
Anything else you would like included or any questions you wish I asked?
How do non-profits survive?
Non-profits are funded and carried out by contributions and volunteers from local citizens. We do get small grants from the government, but our every day operations would not happen if it wasn't for the help of our board members and contributions from the people of Darlington.
Where can we find you?
Connect with us on Facebook!
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