The network of Earth Markets, farmers’ markets that follow Slow Food principles, is expanding in the Caribbean region, bringing the total number of markets to 89 worldwide.
The Green Market Santa Cruz (GMSC), located in the lush Santa Cruz Valley historically home to large citrus and cocoa estates in Trinidad. The Market is on the way to Maracas Beach, one of the most popular beaches in the country, with a beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea.
GMSC is a social enterprise comprising a farmers’ market and a farm, and was initially funded in 2012 with a lease of 5 acres from the developers to the market. In a decade of work, the Green Market has helped consumers forge not just links but friendships and solidarity with producers. People come from all over Trinidad and Tobago to visit the market.
On November 26, 2022, on occasion of its 10th birthday, Green Market Santa Cruz will officially join the Earth Markets’ network, committing to follow the Slow Food philosophy.
Almost 30 producers subscribed the Slow Food Community declaration committing to:
- Promoting and teaching of healthy growing practices to the farmers and garden growers;
- Offer public education to all the constituents on the interrelationships among the environment, fair food systems and human health;
- Link people back to the land trough projects;
- Creating and hosting special festivals and events to showcase local and seasonal foods;
- Promote a circular, zero waste economy.
The Green Santa Cruz Market is home to around 50 producers, farmers and artisans, with many of them producing unique and biodiverse products, such as Trinitario cocoa varieties and the Moruga hill rice (a local variety of wild, very nutritious red rice), mauby (a spiced fermented beverage) and several varieties of tropical “apples” that are going extinct. The vendors that form part of the Slow Food community are listed here.
Vicki Assevero, founder of the Green Market Santa Cruz, states: “Joining the Slow Food Earth Markets’ network is so exciting and gives our entire community even greater motivation to strengthen our commitment to good, clean and fair food. For the past ten years, Green Market Santa Cruz has been guided by and grounded in sustainable development goal #12- changing patterns of production and consumption. For us that has meant creating an environment where customers know who is producing their food and how. We have promoted seasonal food through festivals that highlight local fruits and vegetables at the height of their season. We have paid special attention to the multi-ethnic gastronomic traditions that have nurtured a unique “Caeri fusion”! We look forward to learning from other Earth Markets and contributing through Regener-Actions that make our community resilient, healthy and happy! Thank you Slow Food for welcoming us!”
David Wears, well known photographer and food blogger, remarked: “When I was introduced to the Slow Food philosophy, it opened my eyes to the joys and benefits of the slow food experience especially in the context of our local cuisine. In Trinidad, we have the good fortune to have been fusioning different gastronomic traditions for centuries. The diversity of cultures has created a unique Trini palette. The Green Market has been an important force in encouraging people to revive cooking traditions and to think about what we eat and how the ingredients were grown. By joining the Slow Food’s Earth Market network, many more people will engage with the global thinking that is creating vibrant local food communities.”
Brian Anthony Dixon, former Director of the Agricultural Society of Trinidad and Tobago: “Being of the First Peoples ( indigenous) and also a 3rd generation farmer, my connection to the land is strong. As a member of the Green Market family, we have been afforded the opportunity to expand our exotic crops through the CSA program to customers. The affiliation with Slow Food will allow us to reach countless others and help expand their willingness to try and taste new or recovered food. My family and I are ready to assist and promote this new partnership in any way we can.”
On the occasion of the market’s 10th birthday, a pollinator garden is to be established.
Where
Upper Saddle Road, Santa Cruz
Trinidad, & Tobago
West Indies
Programme for November 26
6AM. Market Opens
8:30. Musical Interlude (High school pan orchestra)
9:00. Interfaith Blessing
10:00. Welcome, Parliamentary Representative,
10:15. Acknowledgements of Partners, Collaborators, Loyal Vendors and Patrons
11:00 Announcement of Affiliation with Slow Food Earth Markets/Unfurling of Banner
11:15. Announcement of BES-Net Pollinator Garden and “Ten by Ten Thousand” Fund
11:30. Birthday Cake and Parang Music
When
Every Saturday from 6 am to 1pm.
During the year, there are often special editions (follow the market on social channels to stay updated)
Fb page: *https://www.facebook.com/GreenMarketSantaCruz/*
Ig: * https://www.instagram.com/greenmarketsantacruz/*
Contacts
Vicki Assevero
Tel: 1 868 290-8571
E-mail: [email protected]
Slow Food International Press Office
Paola Nano – [email protected] (+39) 329 8321285
Alessia Pautasso – [email protected] (+39) 342 8641029
