Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Cutler.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I recently became the Director of Good Local Markets in an unexpected journey into the heart of the farmers market scene. As someone who cannot cook, it comes to a surprise to most that I love local produce and farmers markets as much as I do. I found out about Good Local Markets while hosting their winter potluck at the Trinity River Audubon Center, where I had previously worked for three years. As I got to know the vendors and market managers during the potluck, I thought to myself, “these people are awesome!”. I quickly asked how I could help the farmers market, and began volunteering at the Sunday market as soon as the season started. Every Sunday I spent my days at the farmers market setting up tents and manning the booths. Even in the Texas heat, I was happy to be there supporting the farmers and everyone that believed in local. The community, the cause, the produce! What was there not to love. Having just finished serving three years in Peace Corps, my interest in where my food came from developed however I never had a creative outlet to explore my inner localvore. After serving as a sporadic board member and recipient of Volunteer of the Year, I luckily landed my new role as Director of this organization I fell in love with three years ago. I have been honored to be a part of the openings of the new market in Oak Cliff, and my heart is invested in the mission of our Paul Quinn market where we are working hard to be a part of the solution to food insecurity.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I landed in this role as a result of the passion I had as a volunteer and my persistence of community building. It always weighs on me if we don’t have people shopping the market, because I know that means that our vendors aren’t making money. I recognize if tomatoes don’t sell at the market, they might go to waste. Feeling the personal responsibility to do whatever I can to motivate people to stop shopping at grocery stores and start supporting their local farmers weighs heavy on my bleeding heart.
Good Local Markets – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
White Rock Local Market began in 2009 with the idea that a neighborhood farmers market would improve our health and our quality of life here in East Dallas. Why have to drive across town to a farmers market? Why not have one right here?
Six years later, White Rock Local Market has grown into Good Local Markets, hosting farmers markets, educational programs, a food stamp program, and more. Now, Good Local Markets is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization working to create a stronger demand for local foods. We have proven the rule “Build it and they will come…”
Our farmers markets serve thousands of residents looking for healthy and locally raised foods. Good Local Markets also present some of our region’s top makers of clothes, jewelry, furniture, fine art, toys and more, hand made by North Texans. Our markets now serve to connect local farmers, food producers and craftsmen directly to our community.
Our farmers market is different because we believe in All Good. Only Local. All of our vendors come from 150-mile radius of Dallas and we check each farm to ensure they are growing what they are selling at the market. There is no reselling, no corporations, no nonsense! We believe in the real deal.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Working on Paul Quinn market has been my proudest moment so far. It is such a wonderful mission and I really believe in food for all. All of our farmers markets bring people together as a community and connects them to the very people that are growing their food. It is an inspiration to talk to all of our hard-working farmers who are out there every single day growing our food, and now they are joining us in our new effort to head South and bring the market to Highland Hills.
Contact Info:
- Website: goodlocalmarkets.org
- Email: info@goodlocalmarkets.org
- Instagram: goodlocalmarkets
- Facebook: facebook.com/goodlocalmarkets
Image Credit:
Good Local Markets
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