News Summary
The Hub City Farmers Market in Spartanburg is now managed by PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well, aiming to enhance health and wellness initiatives within the community. Founded 20 years ago, the market features over 30 vendors and emphasizes education and youth engagement through programs like the Youth Crew Internship. The transition is seen as an opportunity to better align community resources and support local farming practices.
Spartanburg Transitions Hub City Farmers Market Management
The Hub City Farmers Market is now under the management of PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well, an organization formerly known as Partners for Active Living. This significant transition was announced on July 2 and marks a new chapter for the market located in Spartanburg’s Northside community.
The management change aims to enhance the market’s role as a health and wellness resource, unifying various community initiatives under one umbrella. PAL’s mission focuses on promoting physical activity and healthy eating, emphasizing the importance of individual and community health. The new executive director of PAL, Laura Ringo, has expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, indicating plans to create a one-stop destination for health and wellness services.
Market Background and Current Operations
Founded 20 years ago, the Hub City Farmers Market originally opened at the Magnolia Street train depot and has since relocated to 498 Howard St. The market supports over 30 vendors each week, offering a diverse array of local products, including fresh produce, meats, baked goods, soaps, and handmade pottery. It currently attracts approximately 1,000 visitors weekly, especially during peak months like May, June, and July.
The market operates every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon and will continue its regular hours until December 13, 2025. The upcoming season will be noteworthy as it celebrates its 21st year in operation in 2025. The Hub City Farmers Market not only serves as a marketplace but also features an urban teaching farm, which provides educational opportunities for youth to learn sustainable farming techniques.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Goals
The previous management of the market was under the nonprofit Hub City Roots, whose board chair, Carmeisha White, noted this transition as an opportunity to elevate their work and align resources more effectively. White has joined the PAL board, along with fellow trustees from Hub City Roots, Michael Judice, an architect, and Marquice Clark, the principal of Cleveland Academy of Leadership. Their inclusion aims to strengthen the connection between local initiatives and the farmers market.
PAL’s influence extends beyond market management. They operate the PAL Food Hub, which allows residents to order fresh regional produce and meats online for pickup or delivery. Ringo expressed a desire to expand the capabilities of the PAL Food Hub through the Hub City Farmers Market partnership. Additionally, PAL aims to enhance relationships with other local markets, such as the Landrum Farmers Market and the Fretwell Market.
Community Engagement and Educational Programs
The Hub City Farmers Market also emphasizes community connection through its vendors. For instance, Root and Earth, a vendor specializing in gourmet mushroom products since 2019, appreciates the customer relationships formed at the market. The farmers market serves as a vital community hub, providing entertainment and education, featuring live music and food vendors like Sully’s Steamers.
The farmers market is not just about shopping; it includes programs focused on education and leadership skills, such as the Youth Crew Internship and Seed to Table. These initiatives aim to engage youth in sustainable farming practices while fostering a sense of community involvement and responsibility.
The successful transition to PAL management is expected to elevate the Hub City Farmers Market further, enhancing its mission of promoting health and wellness within the Spartanburg community.
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Additional Resources
- Go Upstate: Hub City Farmers Market Transition
- Wikipedia: Farmers’ Market
- Fox Carolina: Hub City Farmers Market Reopens
- Google Search: Hub City Farmers Market
- Post and Courier: Hub City Farmers Market Updates
- Google Scholar: Farmers Market Management
- WSPA: Hub City Farmers Market New Season
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Local Food System
- Fox Carolina: Farmers Market Reopens Fundraiser
- Google News: Hub City Farmers Market Spartanburg
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