The 2010 season of the Audubon Farmers' Market is underway. Visit the weekly market Thursday afternoons from 4 to 7pm at the Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church parking lot at 27th Ave. and Johnson St.

Last year, ANA began hosting the market as part of the Homegrown Minneapolis initiative. Homegrown Minneapolis is the City’s effort to improve sales, distribution and consumption of fresh, locally grown foods to positively impact the health, food security, economy and environment of our City and the surrounding region. Part of this initiative involves promoting establishment of "mini farmers' markets" throughout the City, particularly in neighborhoods that may not have easy access to fresh produce. These markets can have a maximum of five vendors and are exempt from certain licensing requirements that larger markets must follow. Last summer, the Audubon Farmers' Market had over 500 customers most weeks, making it the most successful mini farmers’ market in the City.

In addition to providing fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers to our neighbors, the Audubon Farmers’ Market helps fulfill an important community need by donating leftover produce to local food shelves. At the end of each market, volunteers from three area food shelves pick up unwanted produce, providing food shelf guests with more nutritious options. Jennifer Schultz of the Little Kitchen Food Shelf states a desire to “move away from the standard food shelf fare of high-sodium, low-nutrition canned foods and processed starch.” By offering fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh dairy and other high-quality foods, Little Kitchen also seeks to educate our visitors about nutrition and food preparation. Pastor Michael Gmitter with the Church at Northeast Christian Center, another food shelf, states that several of his clients have indicated that the fresh produce has improved their health, since they could not afford to buy such healthy foods in the past.

We hope you’ll visit the Audubon Farmers’ Market each Thursday this season. It’s a great way to meet your neighbors and find some quality produce.