Now that Aniyah’s community garden is up and running, it’s time for her to organize the farmers market. Aniyah is hoping to hold a Grand Opening to introduce the market to her neighborhood. The farmer’s market will feature all the fresh produce that has been harvested. Aniyah reaches out to the professionals who helped her put together the community garden for some help getting the farmer’s market off on the right foot.
Urban farm tech Brandon has agreed to help Aniyah draw up a suggested price list for the items that will be sold. He understands that it is important for the families who spent time growing the crops to be compensated but also that the prices must be reasonable enough so that those in Aniyah’s neighborhood can afford them. Brandon suggests comparing the prices of vegetables and fruits at the local corner stores with those of his own urban farmer’s market. He believes that it would be good to highlight the savings that customers would have by shopping at the farmer’s market.
Using the chart, compare the pricing of a few items that Aniyah’s market will feature. Then, based on the difference, calculate the percentage that locals would save if they bought produce at the farmer’s market instead of at a convenience store. (Of course, we know that many of these fruits and veggies were not available at the convenience store near Aniyah’s neighborhood. So we can use prices from stores further out.)
TABLE 1 Savings Comparison
Crop Store Price Market Price Percent Savings
Tomato
$2.50 each
$1.00 each
Corn
$1.50 each
$.25 each
Green beans
$2.00 lb
$1.25 lb
Cantaloupe
$4.00 each
$2.00 each
Lettuce
$3.00 head
$.90 head
Carrots
$2.00 lb
$.70 lb
Strawberries
$3.00 quart
$2.00 quart
Certainly, knowing that buying at the farmer’s market can save them money will be a huge incentive for locals to use it!
Paige, the renewable energy consultant, tells Aniyah that she would like to come to the Grand Opening as well. She would like to set up a small booth that explains how using renewable energy like the solar pump helps grow the crops while saving money. Paige believes that this is important information for the locals to understand. She also feels that there may be interested people from other areas who want to see how Aniyah’s project turned out so that they can start a community garden of their own. Paige wants to be able to show these interested people how much money their neighborhood might save by using renewable energy.
Help Paige create a chart that shows the difference between the cost of a solar irrigation pump versus an electric one over the course of five years.
TABLE 2 Renewable Energy Savings
Electric Pump Solar Pump
Up Front Costs
$840
$1199
Monthly energy cost
$99.32
$0
Total 5-year Projected cost
Nutritionist Damian is also setting up a booth, showcasing the recipe cards that he created, with samples for locals to try. Damian especially wants the residents of the neighborhood to understand the difference between using fresh vegetables and using the cheaper, canned versions. When it comes to canned vegetables, Damian knows that it’s all about salt. Salt is used to preserve the vegetables but eating only canned veggies can drastically increase a person’s salt intake, making problems like high blood pressure worse. Even though the recommended intake of salt is 2300 mg a day for adults (about 1 teaspoon), Damian knows that most people take in 3400 mg! It’s good to eat vegetables, but Damian wonders if people realize just how much salt is included in canned veggies.
Help Damian calculate the percentage of a person’s recommended salt intake that can be found in these cans of vegetables.
TABLE 3 Recommended Salt Intake
Salt in one serving Salt recommended per day Percent of daily recommendation
Corn
360 mg
2300 mg
Green beans
380 mg
2300 mg
Tomatoes
160 mg
2300 mg
Carrots
300 mg
2300 mg
In contrast, Damian’s recipes use much less salt, as well as salt alternatives. It’s important to Damian to show people how cooking fresh vegetables can be just as tasty and more nutritious!
Now that everyone is ready, it’s time for the Grand Opening! Imagine that you are a reporter sent by your news agency to do an article on the new farmer’s market. You are excited to see and learn how the community garden and farmer’s market promises to change Aniyah’s neighborhood. You will interview Aniyah, as well as Brendan, Paige, and Damian to report on benefits that residents will gain from the new arrangement. Make sure to mention some of the important information you helped calculate, from the savings on fruits and vegetables, to the savings on energy, to the benefits of eating healthy.
Your article must be at least three paragraphs long and include at least three facts that include the calculations. When you discuss each person’s contribution, explain how their career allows them to help people in their community. Encourage your readers to give the new farmer’s market a try!