Shopping the Southeast Area Farmers’ Market is more than a convenient way to pick up fresh, locally grown produce. Every dollar, EBT swipe and Double Up Food Buck you spend helps build a new, alternative food system on Grand Rapids southeast side — and helps put an end to the food apartheid that denies so many of our community members from access to healthy foods.

The market operates at Garfield Park, 334 Burton SE, on Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m. and at GR Ford Academic Center, 851 Madison SE, Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This weekend both market sites are hosting cooking demos and sampling. In addition, Saturday’s market has a new vendor, Bonao Cacao. Sales of their USDA certified organic cacao products help families in the Dominican Republic earn fair wages and safe livelihoods.