Noble Gardeners' Market is first and foremost about community building. Secondly, it is about selling fruits, vegetables and plants. Our sellers grow in their backyards and community gardens. You won't see a farmer from a nearby county with crates of produce. (We are most grateful for local markets that do host farmers!) No one is supplementing their income at this event. In fact, it costs some growers more to grow and sell their produce than they earn. So why would these folks be part of this market if they are only, maybe breaking even?
It's about the community. It's about the buyers who come, tell stories about the gardens they had at home as kids and are now inspired to grow food with their grandkids. It's about the woman raised in Asia who is sharing the veggies and recipes that she grew up with in her home cooking. It's about the high school girl who sold three pears for $5 each that grew in Delmore Community Orchard as a fundraiser for the Orchard (and she sold out quickly!) It's about beautiful bouquets of flowers freshly cut this morning from a neighbor's backyard. It's about the woman who comes early every Saturday because she will have the most fresh vegetables for dinner tonight. It's about the man who retired, is building a few more raised beds each year and brings heirloom tomatoes, peppers and basil to Market each Saturday. It's about the conversations that buyers have with each other as they begin to recognize their mutual delight in this hyper-local market - strangers now friends. One frequent buyer said it best, "People come for the produce and stay for the conversation."
This also explains why Noble Gardeners' Market is only two hours long. When you're only bringing a dozen zucchinis from your prolific plant, you don't want to sit around for six hours waiting for a few buyers. Many buyers sell out during the first hour. (Hot tip: buyers should come early for the best choices!) The upside is, because we start mid-morning, buyers can be assured that these veggies were picked today or late last evening. Try to find something that fresh anywhere else besides your own yard!
To be certain, the Market is about inspiring people to eat healthier, grow food at their own homes, and learn gardening tips from each other. To support that side of our mission, in 2022, we're launching a series of demonstrations called, "How Do You Do That?" where some of our growers will share their hottest tips and tricks with anyone who wanders by! Do come check them out.
It's about the community. It's about the buyers who come, tell stories about the gardens they had at home as kids and are now inspired to grow food with their grandkids. It's about the woman raised in Asia who is sharing the veggies and recipes that she grew up with in her home cooking. It's about the high school girl who sold three pears for $5 each that grew in Delmore Community Orchard as a fundraiser for the Orchard (and she sold out quickly!) It's about beautiful bouquets of flowers freshly cut this morning from a neighbor's backyard. It's about the woman who comes early every Saturday because she will have the most fresh vegetables for dinner tonight. It's about the man who retired, is building a few more raised beds each year and brings heirloom tomatoes, peppers and basil to Market each Saturday. It's about the conversations that buyers have with each other as they begin to recognize their mutual delight in this hyper-local market - strangers now friends. One frequent buyer said it best, "People come for the produce and stay for the conversation."
This also explains why Noble Gardeners' Market is only two hours long. When you're only bringing a dozen zucchinis from your prolific plant, you don't want to sit around for six hours waiting for a few buyers. Many buyers sell out during the first hour. (Hot tip: buyers should come early for the best choices!) The upside is, because we start mid-morning, buyers can be assured that these veggies were picked today or late last evening. Try to find something that fresh anywhere else besides your own yard!
To be certain, the Market is about inspiring people to eat healthier, grow food at their own homes, and learn gardening tips from each other. To support that side of our mission, in 2022, we're launching a series of demonstrations called, "How Do You Do That?" where some of our growers will share their hottest tips and tricks with anyone who wanders by! Do come check them out.
Learn more about the Noble Gardeners' Market story:
This is a great place to start - at the story of our test market season to learn if people wanted to really do this! Click on the button to see the story.
These two seasons describe the challenges we faced during COVID restrictions. As a food resource, we were considered an essential business during the most restrictive lockdown. We found that buyers were so very grateful to shop outdoors for fresh food!
Click on these buttons for the COVID stories.
Click on these buttons for the COVID stories.
This year we hosted a one-day sale in the Spring selling seedlings and divided perennials. We wanted to help folks start growing veggies in their own yard and beautifying their spaces with flowers. We're also in the middle of rebranding! WhooHoo!