Four Farmers Markets Led By Indigenous Communities

By: Mykalee McGowan and Hannah Fuller       Posted On: October 11, 2021

Photo By Choctaw Fresh Produce

Every second Monday of October marks Indigenous People’s Day, a holiday that honors Native people’s role in America’s past, present, and future. Traditional ecological knowledge and Indigenous sciences have shaped so many of our current farming practices and Native farmers, producers and makers have been fostering sustainable local food systems for centuries. 

In celebration of Indigenous People’s Day we want to point towards a few farmer’s markets founded and led by Indigenous organizations that are working to support Indigenous food sovereignty in their communities.

Ndee Bikiyaa (The People’s Farm)

Ndee Bikiyaa also known as The People’s Farm has a farmer’s market located in Whiteriver, Arizona. The market runs from June to Mid September or October based on the first frost. They also have a farm marketplace where they sell produce such as corn, squash, pumpkins and more. The mission of Ndee Bikiyaa (The People’s Farm) is to restore personal and cultural health among the White Mountain Apache through agriculture.

Keep in contact with Ndee Bikiyaa (The People’s Farm) and support their work on Facebook and Instagram.

The Oneida Farmers Market

The Oneida Farmers Market is located in Oneida, Wisconsin. Set up as a drive thru market to keep their community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the market is open every Thursday from June to October. According to their website, the farmers market serves as “an outlet for fruits, vegetables, honey, maple syrup, flowers, plants, sweetgrass, and other items that are raised, grown, and picked by the seller.”

Learn more about Oneida Farmers Market and support their work on their website and  Facebook page.

Choctaw Fresh Produce

Choctaw Fresh Produce is a farm located on the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation in Choctaw, Mississippi. They operate a mobile and pop up market that distributes fresh foods in Central Mississippi. They also provide recipes, cooking demonstrations, and other resources to the community. Their mission is “to improve access to healthy, affordable food regardless of where you live and how much you earn.”

Keep up with Choctaw Fresh Produce and support their work on their website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Come Thru Market 

Come Thru Market is an incubator market centering Black and Indigenous Farmers and Makers in Portland, Oregon. They support BIPOC growers in taking their small business dreams to the farmers market environment, and host a variety of Native producers and artisans every other Monday afternoon in Portland. In 2021, they started the Come Thru Market Farmer Training Program. The program supports beginning farmers of color in Portland in building their farmers market readiness and success. This program is specifically designed for people of color, including immigrants and refugees.

Learn more about the Come Thru Market and support their work in Portland on their website, Facebook, and Instagram. 

Here are a few farmers markets founded and led by Indigenous communities around the United States. Know a few markets we may have missed? Let us know at mykalee@farmersmarketcoalition.org.