Southeastern African-American Farmers Organic Network (SAAFON)

Ethnic Crop Project:

vegetables Four farmers from SAAFON have been conducting a demonstration project growing ethnic crops. The project’s goal is to develop a niche market for the Network. The specialty food industry is rapidly increasing as consumers to restaurants incorporate in their recipes more ethnic food products. Large trade shows like Fancy Food Show (held in both Chicago and New York) and ExpoWest (held in Anaheim Calif.) are showcasing food products from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Farmer’s markets and grocery store chains in large southeastern metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Raleigh –Durham and parts of Florida with diverse populations are searching out sources for produce with names like callaloo, scotch bonnet peppers, dasheen, cho-cho and numerous varieties of yams for their customers.

Dekalb Farmer's Market

SAAFON Ethnic Crop Project will take a look at the growing of these products in the Southeast. Andy Wetherill, Agri-Business Educator, from Delaware State University has been working directly on ethnic crop growing with farmers in the Northeast. Mr. Wetherill will serve as project consultant and will be working directly with SAAFON’s four farmers.

DeKalb Farmer’s Market; Altanta, Georgia (one of the largest farmers markets with ethnic products) has already outlined to our farmers what is required of them for their produce to be accepted at the market. More importantly, the market has strongly indicated their preference to buy from local farmers. This partnership is seen as very significant as it provides a marketing outlet for the project’s farmers.