Celebrate Black-Owned Businesses at the Night Farmer’s Market
Held at Farm Fresh RI in Providence, this Juneteenth weekend marks the first in a four-part event series organized by the African Alliance RI.
Attend the Night Farmer’s Market on July 20 from 4–8 p.m. at the Farm Fresh RI in Providence, featuring several local vendors. Photography courtesy of Kymara Mary-Owusu.
This Juneteenth weekend, nonprofit African Alliance of RI is hosting the very first Black farmers market in Rhode Island. Part of a four-event series, the Diaspora Reunion-themed farmers market takes place on Friday, June 20 from 4–8 p.m. at Farm Fresh RI in Providence.
Featuring more than twenty Black-owned vendors – food, clothing and more – the Night Farmer’s Market will also host three black farmers from Nigeria, Congo and Liberia for guests to meet and chat with. Bami Farm, a six-acre community farm in Johnston, is run by the African Alliance of Rhode Island and has been around for more than two decades. Here, local farmers grow a wide variety of produce to take home to their communities and sell at markets. The farmers market also acts as a meet and greet for African Alliance RI and the farm.
Kymara Mary-Owusu of the African Alliance of RI emphasizes the free event’s purpose, which is to unite the community, support small businesses, uplift Black farmers and provide health education in a joyful, welcoming environment.
“We picked Juneteenth weekend since we felt that would be a good fit for what we want to represent, especially when Black farmers are not well represented,” says Mary-Owusu. “We felt that having this event would give us the chance to reintroduce ourselves to the community.”
Find several local vendors at the farmers market, including Ja Patty, Empanada Assassin, Caribbean Soul and Haition.ish, which will be debuting its food truck at the event. Entertainment is brought to guests by DJ Flip, who teaches music at The Met and other schools.
“It doesn’t matter your background, or where you come from, we’re open to anybody and it’s a place where you can come and feel at ease, eat, listen to music and listen to our panel,” says Mary-Owusu; the panel will discuss important topics such as why food is medicine, what food you can eat to ease a headache and what you can drink to help decrease blood sugar levels.
“At this event, you’re coming to eat but to also learn from our community,” says Mary-Owusu. “If you can come for an hour to eat and get educated, I’m satisfied.” RSVP for the free event here.
Farm Fresh RI, 10 Sims Ave., Unit 103, Providence, africanallianceri.org
RELATED ARTICLES
