NBC 26 (SHAWANO) — 2020 was the first year The F.R.E.S.H. Project ran the Shawano Farmers Market.
“It was a really good stepping stone and a learning curve for us," said Barbara Mendoza, Executive Director. "We were able to plan better this year, and we were more organized I think this year too, so we’re really excited.“
Large sections of Shawano county are food deserts: low-income areas, with limited access to food, said Mendoza.
“A lot of people don’t know that we actually have food deserts," she said. "The stores near them are sometimes overpriced or aren’t the best quality, and they don’t know where their produce is coming from.“
The nonprofit’s mission is to get food to everyone and educate the public on healthy and sustainable food systems.
“We bring the produce and the meats to the customers," said Mendoza. "They know exactly what they’re getting, they know where it’s coming from and they know how it’s grown.“
Although the pandemic made it tough for The F.R.E.S.H. Project to stay out in the community, it shined a light on how important their work is.
“People are more aware of how their food affects them and how eating healthier will make them be healthier and help fight some of the disease is going around," said Lori Schuettpelz, chair of The F.R.E.S.H. Project.
Last year, the farmers market just had produce and meat vendors; this year, the market will also have food vendors, music, crafts and even yoga.
“It’s a great community to have a farmers market in," said Mendoza.
The Shawano Farmers Market goes from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday until October 2nd at Franklin Park in Shawano.
