Ward 7 'Food Desert' Gets Its Own Farmers Market

The nonprofit Dreaming Out Loud is launching a monthly farmers market in the District’s long under-served Ward 7, beginning on Saturday, July 30. The market, located at Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, is scheduled to operate on the third Saturday of every month until November.

Full details after the jump:

Aya Community Markets launches new farmers’ market “East of the River” at a prominent church

(Ward 7, Washington, DC) On Saturday July 30, 2011 from 11am-5pm DC’s Ward 7 will welcome Aya Community Markets, a community-centered farmers’ market and holistic health experience at Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church (3000 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020). Aya Community Markets, a project launched by Dreaming Out Loud Inc., will run monthly on the third Saturday of every month until November.

Communities in Ward 7 are situated in a “food desert,” areas in which residents have limited access to fresh produce and healthy food choices. In these areas fast food chains, carryouts and corner stores dominate a desolate nutritional landscape. The market will provide resources for healthy and sustainable communities through farm fresh produce; educational health speakers and live musical performances; locally produced handmade crafts and baked goods; art, youth activities and more.

The vision of Aya Community Markets is to accomplish the following goals: (1) to expose the community to goods and services to assist in building mental, physical and economic health and (2) to provide a platform for vendors and entrepreneurs to sell, trade and promote goods and services in keeping with the ethos of “aya.” AYA is an Adinkra symbol – that comes from Ghana – literally meaning “the fern,” a symbol of endurance and resourcefulness.

About the Organization

Aya Community Markets is powered by Dreaming Out Loud, Inc. a nonprofit whose mission is to advance a more ethical world that allows underserved children, youth and families to thrive in the global community. We engage young people and communities through the Adinkra Symbol Ethics Mirror, their unique approach to character and leadership development centered on symbols from Ghana.

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We are still interested in recruiting qualified local farmers and other vendors. Please contact Tarik Lott to become a vendor — email: ayamarkets@dreamingoutloud.net or 202-714-5568.