An Open Letter to the Organizers of the Woolery Market

Dear Woolery Market Organizers:

We are writing on behalf of the People’s Cooperative Market, a woman-led coalition of growers, artisans, activists, and engaged community members. Our weekly on-the-ground farmers’ market and CSA operates every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 642 N Morton St. Throughout the summer, the People’s Market has--and will continue to--offer a wide range of local products produced by vendors committed to food justice: the belief that all members of our community, regardless of income or race, should have access to healthy, locally produced food. In doing so, we have centered, in practice and in the structure of our organization, the safety and voices of Black and Indigenous peoples and people of color. 

The People's Market exists to actively confront the cultures of racism, anti-Blackness, and food injustice that permeate our lives in Bloomington and Monroe County. Driven by these ideals, People’s Market volunteers and vendors have devoted countless hours, resources, and energy to creating a new market where Black and Brown community members can buy, sell, and share in safety. Since March, we have succeeded in: matching $5,010 in SNAP benefits through community members’ donations; providing over $18,000 worth of fresh local food to the community through our sponsorship program; selling more than $138,000 of product from 28 local growers and vendors, many of whom are new to farmers’ markets, through our CSA; collaborating with anti-racist organizations such as Black Lives Matter B-town; and contributing to local food pantries, Middle Way House, Community Kitchen, and New Hope. We have done all this during one of the most egregious health and economic crises of our time.

As you know, we need more safe and equitable farmers’ markets in Bloomington and Monroe County. When we learned about the Woolery Market, we were excited at the prospect of another endeavor committed to local food, area farmers, and racial justice. 

That said, we are writing to express some concerns that have arisen over the past month. We are reaching out to you with the goal of facilitating an open dialogue about these concerns and our hopes for your new market:

  • We have not seen an official disavowal of white supremacy from your market organizers, and most importantly--a clear statement regarding how this will be implemented. Do you have plans to do so? 

  • Without a selection process for vendors submitting an application, how will customers and other vendors know if there are members of a white supremacy group? Will the application include a statement of commitment to working toward anti-racism? Will the vendors be asked to disclose memberships in white supremacy organizations? 

  • How will this market work, concretely, towards becoming an inviting space for BIPOC, the disabled community, and LGBTQ folks? Have you developed a plan to ensure the safety of BIPOC vendors and customers at your market? Do you have a position on the presence of police in your market?

  • Are there any Black, Indigenous, or people of color who have participated in the Woolery Market’s planning committee or leadership? We ask this question because racial justice not only requires communication with BIPOC organizations and community members but also the inclusion of BIPOC individuals in positions of leadership. Organizations that exclude non-white people from their leadership are incapable of determining what constitutes racial justice or equity.

  • Since Woolery Market organizers have not reached out to us, we would like to know if your leadership has contacted other anti-racist organizers or organizations in town? 

  • Are you willing to add food justice to the market’s mission, and if so, how will you enact these goals?

  • Will your market encourage and facilitate your vendors’ and customers’ contributions to racial justice?

  • Will your market leadership partner with us in order to mutually work toward the mission of racial and food justice? We hope you will recognize and support the needs that women and BIPOC led-organizations such as The People’s Market fulfill in our community--just as we hope to be able to celebrate your support of local agriculture, food justice, and anti-racism.  

We encourage you to visit us this Saturday where, rain or shine, you’ll have an opportunity to see how we work, driven by a set of values that reflect the highest aspirations for inclusiveness in significant and meaningful ways, to cultivate a sense of belonging for all who share these values as a main objective. 

Please join us in our mission to cultivate social justice through access to local food. By working together, we can build a stronger, healthier, more equitable future.

Thank you for your time. We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

The People’s Market Planning Committee