Should The Park Cities Have a Farmers Market?
Ever since Dallas put out bid proposals to privatize the Dallas Farmers Market, I’ve been thinking about the viability of it. I’ve been a few times, bought way too many jalapenos, and was considerably underwhelmed. Most of the produce is, sure, “farm” fresh, but it’s apples from Washington or grapes from California. The “local” section is a few dudes trying to convince you that zip code honey will mask your allergies. (Speaking from personal experience, it probably won’t.)
There’s a somewhat puny market held every weekend in the West Village, but it’s certainly not a destination stop.
But I’ve lived in cites where farmers markets thrive under unusual circumstances. Baltimore’s largest is held under a freeway, and D.C.’s survived a fire that gutted its only building. Surely the Park Cities could cobble something together in Snider Plaza, or Lakeside Park, no?
The problem is traffic. Would Parkies stop by on their way to Central Market, or would they pass and say, “Hmm, I wonder what that is?”
Reitz argues that the demise of the centralized (but drive-necessary) downtown market could force smaller ones to pop up around the city. There’s no reason one of those places couldn’t be in the Park Cities.
(Note: If one already exists and I’m a complete idiot, disregard this.)
Back in 1978/79 there was a Snider Plaza farmers market/store that sold fresh vegitables as well as canned goods in a defunct gas station on Hillcrest…currently (and for many years) the location of Bubba’s.
How can we have a local farmers market in the Park Cities? Weren’t backyard chickens were just outlawed? Besides, don’t we already have two farmers markets called “Central Market” and “Whole Foods”?
Urban Acres CSA is a great local food option for Park Cities residents. Organic produce pick up is at Preston Rd Church of Christ every other Saturday.
http://urbanacres.wordpress.com/
A Park Cities farmers’ market wouldn’t make it. I hope the Dallas Farmers’ Market does. A chat with Mr. Lemley at his stand is well worth the trip. His tomato plants are a million times more reliable than those in local stores.