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Ward 8 Farmer's Market Cooperative is a non profit organization.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
John Gloster, President Virginia Major, Treasurer/Secretary
Isabelle Jenkins, Assistant Treasurer
Naomi Long, Board Member Obberon Defreitas, Board Member
David Brewer, Board Member Emeritus
Gordon White, Board Member Emeritus OUR STORY The Ward 8 Farmers' Market was born as a reaction to the closing of the (then) last supermarket in Ward 8. It originated as a project of the DC Statehood Green Party when Market founder John Gloster was chairman of that party. Mr. Gloster and company formed the "Committee for a Market" in late 1998, and called community organizers, including all of the Ward 8 ANC commissioners to participate in the Committee. Many answered the call, including most ANC commissioners. Notably, ANC 8C Chair Virginia Major became very active, and would later become the president for many years. The Committee was incensed at the prospect and reality of the busniness community and District government turning its backs on nearly 70,000 residents in the Ward. The Committee was keenly aware that many in the community would rely on corner stores, with their canned and processed foodstuffs, as their first source for food supplies. We were, therefore, very concerned with the difficulty the residents (especially those without cars) would have to go through to obtain healthy foods. After months of unsuccessful efforts to convince government to take immediate action to resolve the situation, the Committee decided to take proactive action of its own. In an effort to empower the community, and show everyone that the people of Ward 8 would not simply wait for government to solve this problem, the Community resolved to start a farmers market. In August of 1999, the Ward 8 Farmers' Market opened its doors for the first time. At first the produce was vended by the Committee along one long string of tables. Produce came from local wholesale produce markets, and Committee members were the volunteer workers. Before long, Ward 8 residents were added as vendors, and by the end of the second season, produce vending was turned over to Ward 8 residents. Eventually, the Market added small, nearby farmers as produce vendors, and we were able to further improve the quality and freshness of the produce. Ultimately, the Market organized as a nonprofit farmers' market cooperative, and registered as such with the IRS. A few years ago, the Market revisited the problem of foodstuffs consumed in cornerstores. We convinced three local corner stores to carry and promote farmers market produce. Our demonstration project with corner stores has been shown to be successful, and has been copied by others. (The affiliated corner stores are showing signs of interest in diversifying its food choices.) Currently, the Market is in the midst of a growth transition, and strives to further increase healthy food options for the area, and to significantly increase its positive impact on the community.
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