The Stockton Farmers’ Market:

Abstract

This paper investigates the social world of the predominantly Southeast Asian Stockton Farmers’ Market in Stockton, California. Through interviews and surveys with vendors and customers, their motivations for buying and selling at this market were analyzed. Respondents reported that affordable prices and access to profits were their primary motivations, though they were also interested in freshness, health, sustainability and community. For Southeast Asian vendors and customers, these were all inextricable from their cultural identities and foodways. This research sheds light on the relationship between race and sustainable agriculture.

Keywords:

• Southeast Asian
• farmers’ market
• sustainable agriculture
• racialization
• identity

Notes

1. Waters’ Chez Panisse is often credited as the first restaurant to emphasize the sourcing of local produce and meat, and to develop the strong links between farmers and chefs that has become emblematic of California Cuisine.

2. These vendors are not regulated by the Stockton Farmers’ Market Association, which manages the farmers’ market.

3. Many of the farmers in our sample are from Fresno County, and are likely some of these same individuals.

4. Respondents could check as many options as they liked, so totals do not add up to 100%. The question was arranged in this way because it would capture all of respondents’ priorities, rather than merely their highest one.