It’s true, Wednesday Farmers Markets have started. 

Now you can get down there between 3 and 6 p.m. in the middle of the week and get a parking space. 

And veggies.  

But there are those in our community who don’t get good food even if they get a parking space. Economics can be a big reason for someone to drive right by the Market.  The truth is that it is much cheaper to buy processed, nutrition-less cardboard food than it is fresh food. 

But there are a couple of ways to help out those who need a little helping hand to eat better food.

One of the most direct ways is to use the Harvest of Hope Basket at the Market. This basket gets picked up at the end of Market and taken to the Homer Community Food Pantry. At the end of the day, producers can put unsold items in the basket, but you also can put donations in there knowing they will get delivered directly to those most in need.

Another way is in your own garden. You know all those starts you have been buying at the Market?  Plant a row in your garden for those in need beyond your family. Plant a Row for the Hungry programs are supplying millions of pounds of produce to the needy nationwide. Not a bad bandwagon to jump on.

And sometimes those people who need good food are just your grandkids visiting who also need something to do. Buy a Farmers Market token at the info booth and set them free around lunch time; you know they can only spend it on food at the Market. If they choose to spend it on food …

And if you find yourself on food assistance, don’t just spend it on cardboard food.  You can swipe your Quest Card down at the Market info booth and get tokens for good, fresh, local and healthy food.

So head on down to the Market on Ocean Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Fourth of July or from 3 to 6 p.m. next Wednesday to get your starts, your veggies and keep your community well fed. 

Kyra Wagner is the coordinator of Sustainable Homer and the Homer Farmers Market’s biggest fan — or at least one of them.