Podcast Episode 11: Britany Meiklen and the joy of building community through the Wenatchee Valley Farmers Market
This episode focuses on the Wenatchee Valley Farmers Market and the way it brings people from all walks of life and all ages together to share a love of local food, music and activities. Meiklen, a former wildland firefighter, discovered her passion for locally grown food through an online college course. She has a degree in sustainable agriculture and was a farmer in the Skagit Valley before moving to the Wenatchee Valley three years ago. With the guidance and support of her board of directors, Meiklen is orchestrating the evolution of the market. They launched a successful program for kids – the Power of Produce – last year, and have been expanding efforts to get nutritious local food to low income people in the valley. The market has become a critical part of the Wenatchee community scene and a favorite part of Pybus Public Market. We talk about her background, her passion for local food and community building, and the future of educational programs to encourage people to try different fruits and vegetables. Building a stronger community, she told me, is about everybody looking for ways to make the community a little bit better.
Britany Meiklen and volunteer Nan Inn at the Wenatchee Valley Farmers Market (photo provided)
05/14/2016 World photo/Mike Bonnicksen
Allen Retasket, at right, of Wenatchee buys some cherry tomato plants from Sue Gasbar of Yaksum Canyon Truck Farm of Cashmere, during the opening day for the Wenatchee Valley Farmers Market.
