VoWW Interview #14 - Chris Cirkus

Overview
"Voices of West Windsor" is a joint project between the Historical Society and SR Mosaic to fill in the gaps in our records of our town's history. We interview contemporary inhabitants of groups not typically found in our archives so that future residents can get a perspective decades later - much like how our perspectives of old West Windsor were obtained through interviews of longtime residents in the past.
One metric by which to measure the vibrancy of a community is the amenities it offers its residents. In West Windsor, one of our most prominent examples is the West Windsor Community Farmers Market. This week, Voices of West Windsor sits down with Chris Cirkus of the WWCFM to talk about its history, current dynamics, and future prospects.
"Voices of West Windsor" is a joint project between the Historical Society and SR Mosaic to fill in the gaps in our records of our town's history. We interview contemporary inhabitants of groups not typically found in our archives so that future residents can get a perspective decades later - much like how our perspectives of old West Windsor were obtained through interviews of longtime residents in the past.
One metric by which to measure the vibrancy of a community is the amenities it offers its residents. In West Windsor, one of our most prominent examples is the West Windsor Community Farmers Market. This week, Voices of West Windsor sits down with Chris Cirkus of the WWCFM to talk about its history, current dynamics, and future prospects.
Talking Points:
(On the value of a farmers market in West Windsor)
A value of a Farmer’s market is certainly having a connection to the person who grew, raised, and produced the food we’re going to eat and feed our families. These are the folks that are the stewards of our land, protectors of our watershed. Unfortunately, we’ve become very removed from the food system and the food chain. What it means to care for livestock, what local fisheries even mean…Buying locally and keeping it really small keeps the global footprint, and the carbon footprint really small. It keeps those small businesses and families thriving. These are the folks that come no matter what. They commit to come, and to me, the work I do, I owe it to them - to be there for them.
(On how the WWCFM coordinates with other groups)
Feeding our neighbors is really that amazing community connection. On average this season, [a charitable group] is collecting about $800 each Saturday. To see that money go back to the farmers, who then sell produce at a lower price to them - it’s a real win-win for everybody. Everything crosses. Everything intertwines. Everything intersects. And that’s what a real community is. On a separate note… I didn’t want to not mention the farmer’s market without the light of what food access means in this work. We’re a very affluent community, but there’s need in every community. That’s a piece of the inclusion…people don’t realize that there’s need everywhere. For us, we want people cooking, and if we can help them with benefits that they can get more fruits and vegetables to go home and cook.
(On the value of a farmers market in West Windsor)
A value of a Farmer’s market is certainly having a connection to the person who grew, raised, and produced the food we’re going to eat and feed our families. These are the folks that are the stewards of our land, protectors of our watershed. Unfortunately, we’ve become very removed from the food system and the food chain. What it means to care for livestock, what local fisheries even mean…Buying locally and keeping it really small keeps the global footprint, and the carbon footprint really small. It keeps those small businesses and families thriving. These are the folks that come no matter what. They commit to come, and to me, the work I do, I owe it to them - to be there for them.
(On how the WWCFM coordinates with other groups)
Feeding our neighbors is really that amazing community connection. On average this season, [a charitable group] is collecting about $800 each Saturday. To see that money go back to the farmers, who then sell produce at a lower price to them - it’s a real win-win for everybody. Everything crosses. Everything intertwines. Everything intersects. And that’s what a real community is. On a separate note… I didn’t want to not mention the farmer’s market without the light of what food access means in this work. We’re a very affluent community, but there’s need in every community. That’s a piece of the inclusion…people don’t realize that there’s need everywhere. For us, we want people cooking, and if we can help them with benefits that they can get more fruits and vegetables to go home and cook.