At the market on February 26th

So i went to the market yesterday, and I have to admit it was really helpful!
I saw the kids from the NEPA organization, saw what they do, and also spoke to a few farmers and one really nice lady that was interested in nutrition. They all really helped me approach nutrition in a different way, a way that I think can really help the market out in the long run. I also took some pictures and have a few notes.

Here is what I found out:

- For the most part, farmers at the market are knowledgeable about nutrition. When asked by customers about nutrition, they know how to answer back.
- The number one question a customer would ask (no matter the produce)...Is it local? There seems to be a tendency for people to ask that question, because they feel the obligation to support their community.
- Second most asked question, and this one is very important...How do you cook your produce? Some customers at the market have knowledge about nutrition, others don't, but no matter who it is, a lot of people want to know how to cook certain things, especially the ones they are not familiar with.
- People do form relationships with the farmers at the market, but the relationship they form is not necessarily between the farmer and the customer, but rather between the customer and the farmer's produce. When people go to the market, they go to the same stand and same farmer every time. They feel safe with buying from the same farmer and they know that every time they go back, that person will be there to sell their produce. That relationship is important to people at the market. Being able to buy from the same farmers and sellers.
- For most people, food has to taste good first, then comes the nutritious factor. For regular customers like Jane Stela, she wants to learn about nutrition and its important to her than the food she buys tastes good but is also nutritious too. That makes it worth while for her.
- The NEPA kids from SU are trying to do just that, is to inform people about nutrition and teach them how to make the right choices, but the interest at the market is lacking. For one thing, all these kids had was a table with one presentation board and some information. They did have a game made that forces people to guess which basket of products was the most nutritious and the cheapest at the same time. I found it helpful and interesting, but unless you know some nutrition, its hard to know anything about the nutrition value of food. I felt like they could use some support from the Market, as to better promote their stand. At this point, it is bare and lacking the X factor needed to attract people. In that aspect Mu Mu Muesli guy (at C shed he sells grain like cereal) surprised me, because he knows exactly how to attract attention. He gives away samples! So many people buy after tasting his product that you don't have to assume his business is successful, you just know it is. And his whole table stands out too. His wife, a graphic designer, designed the banner than hangs above his table. It just pops out.
- So to kind of conclude, I feel like helping the NEPA organization might be one way to start promoting nutrition. They are doing the right things, but their approach to people is lacking, they don't attract any customers.
Also, I feel like the help of a professional Registered Dietitian is something that both I and the NEPA organization need to make this work. The formula is this - - -
NEPA's man power + RD Maria Mahar + My design input = success