Farmer’s Market Saturday sign Photo by Andrea Whittle

Over 150 People Attend Farmers Market to Buy Fresh Produce and Holiday Gifts

Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera -- Saturday December 12, 2009 marked the first ever Farmers Market in South Eleuthera that was held at the Emergency Operations Centre of SEEP (South Eleuthera Emergency Partners) from 10 am to 1pm.   Over 150 people strolled through the market to shop during the beautiful sunny day.

The goal of the market was to showcase farm-grown products and locally hand-made crafts available in Eleuthera. Known once as the breadbasket of The Bahamas, Eleuthera is producing less and less agricultural produce and relying more on imports, which threatens food security on the island. The Island School, Cape Eleuthera Institute and Island Journeys/SEEP, two local non-profit organizations and have partnered to change this trend.

Locally grown pumpkins, produce and bottles of sour

“We are really thrilled with the success of this first market,” said Shaun Ingraham director of SEEP and Island Journeys.  “People are already asking if we can have   one next week so there is an obvious need and opportunity here.”   The market celebrates the production of “Made in Eleuthera” food and crafts and encourages the growth of local sustainable agriculture.

The 12 businesses that participated included: Bishop Dan Nixon, Lucille’s Bakery, Coco Plums, Rosey’s Creations, Gracefully Creations, Nature Boys Nursery Charles Strachan Straw World, DJ’s Bottled Tomatoes, Debra Moxey’s Ceramics, Philip McPhee and Collective of Farmers of Tarpum Bay.

Fundraising and awareness activities included tee-shirts sold by SEEP and the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) and The Island School distributed CFLs, fish poop fertilizer and flyers about conservation and saving money at home.  

Key persons at the event included Martha Smith, President of the Bahamas Craft Association, who congratulated the organizers and wished them well; Bishop Daniel Nixon, President of the South Eleuthera Farmer’s Cooperative who expressed that the farmers welcomed the venue and Susan Culmer, President of the local craft vendors who hoped that it will be done on a more regular basis.

Megan at CEI’s Education Display Photo by Andrea Whittle

“This farmer’s market is a great opportunity for us to share more about our conservation goals and to encourage people to eat and buy more locally,” said Karla Cosgriff of CEI.   “We hope the market expands to include more vendors and can be used to educate people on the possibilities of sustainable food production in Eleuthera.”

Currently the event is scheduled for the last Saturday of each month with the goal of more markets during peak agricultural seasons.

Interested vendors or those who require more information should contact Josh Shultz at info@ceibahamas.org or call Ian Carey at SEEP at 334-4630 or email him at buywise180@hotmail.com.  

Shoppers at the first South Eleuthera Farmer's Market Photo by Andrea Whittle

About The Island School ,  Cape Eleuthera Institute and South Eleuthera Emergency Partners:   The Island School is a three-month semester leadership program for high school students.   Participants come from all over the world to study tropical marine environment and Bahamian culture.    The Cape Eleuthera Institute is a tropical ecology research facility that hosts educational programs and models sustainable systems and finds solutions for resource management. Island Journeys/South Eleuthera Emergency Partners (SEEP) is a citizen led group committed to providing emergency services to the citizens of South Eleuthera. For more information visit www.islandschool.org or www.ceibahamas.org orwww.southeleutheraep.org.