NEWS
This Week at DFM: Justin’s Last Market
Bundle up and head on out to the Davidson Farmers Market.
Hi DFM Shoppers,
It’s hard to believe, but this is my last DFM newsletter and this coming Saturday will be my last market as DFM’s Market Director. The past three years have been amazing and I will cherish the time I got to spend with everyone. I am so proud of where the market is today. We have grown so much: tripling our shopper attendance each market, expanding our vendor offerings to welcome new and exciting vendors to the market, and staying in operation despite a pandemic.
My first experience with DFM was summer of 2015, having just moved here from Boston. I visited Davidson on a Saturday to see this is where I could call home; I walked through the market and then made my way down to Kindred for lunch. Two months later I joined Kindred and called Davidson home. During my time at Kindred (and Hello, Sailor) as the pastry chef I had the opportunity to support DFM with chef demos, judging the Kids Chopped Competition, and serving dessert during the 10th Anniversary Dinner. Little did I know my involvement with DFM would go further.
When 2018 came, I left restaurant life to welcome my newborn son. Then, by chance, I was offered the job as DFM’s Market Manager. I was thrilled to continue to support the Davidson community and manage the market that sold me on living here. I’ve met so many shoppers with a similar story, the market was the first place they visited and where they decided Davidson was the place to move to and call home. Its a vibrant community and I will miss it so much.
2020 was a hard year –– that’s obvious –– but I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be until 42 small businesses and a community of shoppers looked to DFM for support, resources, and connection to community. The challenges were massive, but the outpouring of support and dedication from shoppers, vendors, volunteers, donors, and community leaders showed me how incredible, loving, and strong the DFM community is. The lessons learned during that time will be with me forever.
As I move on to continue my career as a full-time food writer and editor, I will often think back to my time at DFM. It is the community that has always been there for me –– for so many really. I am delighted and excited to see where DFM goes from here, there is so much possibility and opportunity. The organization is in good hands with the Board of Directors, Courtney, and the many dedicated volunteers.
I will be at the market this Saturday and look forward to seeing everyone and saying our goodbyes. But, I’ll be around to visit periodically and I’m only a Instagram away for anyone who has baking questions or needs a quick family-friendly recipe.
Thank you for everything and happy eating,
Justin
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Don’t miss these items available at market: Flying Fish Seafood has golden tilefish, flounder, shrimp, and dry pack sea scallops; How Sweet It Is! has pies, pound cakes, muffins, and seasonal cookies; Nonni’s Gourmet Kitchen is featuring their spicy bog cranberry chutney; and Coldwater Creek Farm has red and yellow onions, white and red potatoes, sweet potatoes, hot peppers. Sponsors attending this week: Goff Choice Properties |
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To view this week’s full list of vendor offerings, please click the link below. Vendors away this week: Renn Bee Farm Vendors done for the season: Twin Oak Farms, Peaches N’ Cream, Growing for Good If you choose pre-order and do not plan to shop in-person, you can skip the line and pick up your pre-order from the red Market Tent. Just give your name and who you pre-ordered from and our DFM volunteers will get your order for you.
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