"parate aqui mercado (stop here market): expanding point-of-sale and fresh-food access to locally-grown, culturally-relevant foods in holyoke, MA" will increase access-to and availability-of locally…

"parate aqui mercado (stop here market): expanding point-of-sale and fresh-food access to locally-grown, culturally-relevant foods in holyoke, MA" will increase access-to and availability-of locally and regionally produced agricultural products, while expanding direct producer-to-consumer markets through launching nuestras raices' LA tienda farm store, CSA program, farm stand POP-UPS, and piloting nuestro sofrito (nuestras raices' cooperatively-sourced, value-added product venture),through cross-community collaborations. Systemic disinvestment from holyoke's economic and social infrastructure, and the pandemic, have resulted in 1) low-income/low-access holyoke residents with limited access to fresh, affordable, culturally-relevant foods, and 2) disproportionately limited and shut-down market opportunities for holyoke's socially-disadvantaged and predominantly latino farmers and food entrepreneurs. However, nuestras raices farmers bring a wealth of agricultural experience and culture, and as a community we are ready to rebuild through "parate aqui mercado," a creative, community-driven approach to meeting these needs and opportunities. Project goals include: 1. Restore and improve direct-to-consumer outlets and economic opportunities for socially-disadvantaged, predominantly latino farmers and food entrepreneurs 2. Increasing access to and availability of affordable, locally-sourced, and culturally-relevant produce to low- and middle- income residents of holyoke expected outcomes for parate aqui mercado include momentous increases to residents' consumption of locally produced foods, increased direct markets for socially-disadvantaged farmers and entrepreneurs, and new/expanded local food enterprises. "parate aqui mercado" project goals are in alignment with USDA AMS goals, and position nuestras raices as a longtime, critical driver of local, agricultural economic development in holyoke and across the wider pioneer valley.