Bloomington Farmers Market

Upon our arrival to the Bloomington Farmers Market on a drizzly Saturday morning in August the mood of our group was fairly sullen. Within fifteen minutes of being at the Farmers Market our moods were completely uplifted. There was such an overwhelming sense of community in the market that there is really no way for a person to remain upset. 

Being in the market you can go up to anyone and ask them about their business or their shopping experience. I got the chance to really talk to some of the produce vendors and some of their loyal shoppers. A majority of the vendors reported that because of the music and the community that has sprung up around the market their sales have dramatically increased. Many of the customers said that it was important to them to shop at the Farmers Market as opposed to a major grocery store because the food was fresher, of heirloom or better quality, and because it has a smaller carbon footprint. It is extremely lovely how like in participatory music everyone at the market is expected to participate in order to make the experience good for everyone there. The Bloomington Farmers Market could definitely be called a participatory shopping experience. 

In addition to talking with some vendors and shoppers we also got to talk to a few performers who were there. It was very clear in talking with these people that they were not there to perform for glory or recognition but for the pure enjoyment that came from playing in that space and the opportunity to make people smile. Many vendors expressed the feeling that their businesses were stronger because of the musicians bringing people into the market. 

It was really amazing to see the flow of people in the market but it was also very interesting to see where certain groups of people mainly congregated. Many single adults were around the prepared food, many coupled adults and families were in produce, most children were dancing around with various musicians and older adults were in the DIY or home goods sections. The market is as much of a social event as it is an opportunity to purchase organic produce. Below is the social map that my group put together of the Bloomington Farmers Market. 

There is obviously a reason that people return to the market weekend after weekend: the community that has been built up there between vendors, musicians, and customers. There is such a strong participatory atmosphere that surrounds the market that it would not be possible to leave and not have the feeling of being part of something more than yourself.