About

Vision:

Promote policy and environmental changes that make healthy foods and active lifestyles an easy choice for all families in South Texas . Current initiatives include a farmers’ market, voucher programs, community gardens, and research and education.

Mission:

The mission of the Brownsville Farmers’ Market is to create an event that brings nutritional education, health services, and fresh, locally grown produce to individuals living in South Texas.

Brownsville Farmers’ Market Initiative:

Background

The idea of starting a farmers’ market in Brownsville arose from the realization that the town was lacking a place where fresh produce, reasonably priced, could be easily accessible to all–a lack that takes on critical importance in South Texas, an area where obesity and diabetes soar above the national rates. From this awareness and the growing popularity of farmers’ markets in the United States, faculty from the School of Public Health and staff from the Department of State Health Services joined efforts to begin exploring the possibility of opening a farmers’ market in Brownsville . This small group began to spread the word to others within the community and in a short period of time, the farmers’ market meetings grew to include community physicians, nonprofit employees, agricultural extension offices, USDA grant recipients for farmers’ market initiatives, local church groups, writers, government staff, farmers, and other interested community members and organizations, including Su Clinica Familiar. As interest has grown, the group has organized and began a strategic plan to research the different aspects of a farmers’ market. This group of interested individuals has formed subcommittees which have been researching and combining efforts to gauge the interest and needs of local farmers, determine consumer interest, and learn the technical and business aspects involved in creating a successful market.

During this investigative process, the committee has formalized their main goals and interests in a farmers’ market. In addition to the formal mission, the Market aims to bring local producers and consumers together to engage in an interactive, community-building relationship, with families learning where their produce comes from and learning to try new, healthier foods, and farmers taking on the role of educator, sharing their knowledge and expertise on gardening as well as selecting and preparing fresh produce. Brownsville residents may not be unfamiliar with the market concept: in Brownsville’s past there was a market in the downtown area where many residents purchased their produce, meat, and other consumables. Matamoros, the bordering city in Mexico, enjoys a weekly market where similar items are purchased by residents on both the United States and Mexico sides.

Currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Brownsville Farmers’ Market are Joe Lee Rubio, Suzanne Hall, Dr. Belinda Reininger, Dr. Robert Lozano, Sister Phyllis Peters, Dr. Manuel Mendoza, Dr. Susan Fisher-Hoch, and Emily Moore.

Voucher Programs

The Brownsville Farmers’ Market provides vouchers to low-income families that help them obtain fresh produce. Paid for by grants and donations, the vouchers are distributed to low-income families weekly, door-to-door, by outreach workers. In addition to the vouchers, the Market also provides produce to local organizations serving the needy. Homeless shelters, food pantries, and religious organizations serving the poor all receive bags of fresh produce from the Market to help feed their constituents. Last year (2008) the Market provided over $17,000 in vouchers and produce to local families.

Community Gardens

The Market is currently working with the City of Brownsville, area Master Gardeners, and other community members to identify vacant lots that may be turned into gardens. With the help of community leaders and teachers, we will help students, the elderly, families at risk for diabetes, and others grow fruit and vegetables. We will also identify and help implement specific educational and charitable activities associated with gardening.

Research and Education

Fifty percent of adults aged 35 or older who live in Brownsville are obese, and another 30% are overweight. In an effort to improve the health of our citizens, the Market has partnered with The University of Texas School of Public Health to assess dietary intake behaviors of a cohort of Hispanic communitiy members over time. Through activities such as weekly surveys, we will assess if those who shop and the market are different than those who do not.

Education is another priority for the Market. We ensure that families attending the Market are provided educational sessions on obesity, diabetes, and proper dietary intake. Sessions provided (in English and Spanish) since the market’s inception include preparing healthy foods, breastfeeding, monitoring glucose levels, getting proper exercise, and choosing foods from all of the food groups.