Bloom Town: Farmers' Market takes root in Brownsville

Hundreds of residents arose early Saturday morning in order to beat others to the freshest fruits and vegetables at the launch of the Brownsville Farmer's Market.

"This is a place where people can come and buy their foods directly from the producers," the market's board president Rose Gowen said. "There is also a learning aspect to this market. We have tables where they learn about diabetes, obesity and making healthier choices. They can also come and talk to their friends."

For Celestina Torres, the market reminded her of her childhood in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, when she would go with her mother to the mercado to buy vegetables for the daily meal.

"You know we would go very early in the morning and my mother que descanze en paz, would pick out the freshest tomatoes and calabacitas to make guisado," Torres said. "This market feels just like the mercadito, it takes me back."

Alhough the market started at 8 a.m., for lifelong farmer Saul Padilla, the day began four hours earlier at his ranch in Harlingen

"We were up very early at the ranch loading the fruits and vegetables," Padilla said. "We have everything: vegetables, chickens, goats, you name it (and) we grow it. And we are going to be bringing a bigger selection."

Early risers Chita Paz and Isabel Garcia took Padilla's word and stocked up on fresh vegetables.

"I like to cook with fresh ingredients," Garcia said. " I have done this for a long time, and here everything is fresh. I came for my cilantro, my albacar, some eggs and other herbs."

In addition to food regularly found in the Rio Grande Valley, visitors to the market were treated to exotic fruits, such as dragonfruit and starfruit.

"We have a nursery and we specialize in rare fruits," said Kathy Pechacek, as she offered pieces of starfruit to customers and attracted their attention by wearing a Jalapeno-shaped hat.

According to Rose Gowen, the market will be held every Saturday until the month of March from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The market has a board of directors and is classified as non- profit organization. The market is also working on achieving a Texas State certification as a Farmer's Market, which would allow them to make the food more accessible.

"Eventually, people will be able to shop their fruits and vegetables with their WIC card and with food stamps," Gowen said.