Hundreds of Akron residents, many of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, flock to the weekly farmers market in Akron’s North Hill neighborhood to buy fresh, hard-to-find produce with origins in their native countries from 15 or so vendors through Sept.
The first hour of the market is the busiest. The market started in 2015 before moving four years later to its current location of Akron Cooperative Farms.
“They love us. They come to us."
A bustling farmers market scene.
Supporting Local Farmers and Entrepreneurs
“We opened it up for small entrepreneurs,” Xiong said. “In the past, we did have a five-acre farm in Medina for them to farm and grow vegetables to sell.
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Because of that, the land ASIA uses for the market is full, Xiong said. Immigrants who want to farm again “have been calling us for more land. We don’t have any other land.
Meet the Farmers
A few tables away is Miguel Quiroz, a husband, father of four and farmer originally from Solabeja, Mexico. Now living in Salem, about 45 miles southeast from Akron, Quiroz grows fruits and vegetables on nearly 60 acres.
Miguel Quiroz places his hand on ears of corn harvested at his farm in Salem.
Community Engagement and Cultural Exchange
Once a month at the market, ASIA provides a cooking demonstration from a cultural background reflected in the community. Customers watched Sawari and Zainab as they combined eggplant, onions and tomatoes in a frying pan with garlic seasoning to lay over top the rice that’s boiling on a hot plate next to the vegetables.
Special events such as the cooking demo bring in close to 1,000 customers, said Malissa Xiong, a program manager for the workforce division at ASIA.
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Sola's African Market - Dir. Rich Mbariket
The Story of Rai
From Bhutan in 2010 by way of California. In California, Rai grew produce as a migrant worker.
“My husband also works,” Rai said. “I usually grow, but I also have little kids; because of that, I don’t work in any company. Taking care of little ones at home stops her from getting a regular job.
| Farmer | Origin | Location | Acreage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miguel Quiroz | Solabeja, Mexico | Salem, Ohio (45 miles SE of Akron) | 60 acres |
| Rai | Bhutan (via California) | California (migrant worker) | N/A |
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