Kaboti Adakai has been the manager of the Flagstaff Community Market since 2020. She first started working on the market under Cosinita of Dianita, selling specialty lemonades and sweetened drinks. The market itself was started by Art Her Babbitt in 2000 with about 10 stalls in what is now the Downtown Connection Center, just south of the train tracks. On this busiest day of the year, the market has over 100 different vendors from around Flagstaff and Arizona. This market has grown steadily over the past two decades, helping to establish the flag-free urban market by Andrés Aauto and her market by the Wednesday Night Community.

“I truly believe in and love my community,” says Kabod Adakayi. “Each time I take on this role, it gets a little easier. It’s going to be a great summer for growth and the outdoors. Farmers markets are already very active and busy this season.”

In 2020, much of the market had to be revisited to comply with pandemic-related closures and regulations. In her first year in the market as a manager, Kaboti Adakai learned about the different ways the market can still reach out to communities and how local vendors can benefit from participating in the market. I tried to innovate the method. Even working with vendors to sell online and limiting shopper capacity during market hours, Farmer’s Market continued to deliver.

“When we reopened as a regular market in 2021, it became more and more apparent how valuable local producers are. says Kaboti Adakai. “With the high altitude and extreme weather, some might think it would be impossible to grow food here, but there are local farms like Forestdale Farm and Tree-a-Lowry Farm, We grow food all year round and it’s really cool to show people how much you can grow here.”

There are many ways to attend the Sunday Farmer’s Market as well. Backyard growers can partner with FoodLink, an organization that offers booths and spaces for small growers with no registration fee. Alternatively, if you are a community organization, the marketplace provides rotation space for your organization to line up with many vendors. Kaboti Adakai and her team also offer trial slots for those who want them.

John of the Arizona Mushroom Company drove up from Payson with his wife Lorient to sell.

he says: “We love coming to the market because there are so many kind people. Our mission is for people to have and eat food like real food. And mushrooms are real food.” We have a mushroom farm and we grow about 100 pounds of mushrooms for sale at each market.It’s been three years since we’ve been here.”

Another seller, Jack Cazoubon Serondo of Bluebird Farms, agrees. All Bluebird Farm employees are from Flagstaff, so it’s a great way to keep the food cycle as close as possible for all your neighbors. ”

And it’s not just farmers and producers who come to sell. Artists and creators will also participate. Local artist Kiara Skaberund makes regular appearances with hand-woven tea towels and hand-printed products.

“I think it’s a great way to be part of a community and get your work out there,” Skaberund says of marketing. “It’s really exciting to see locals and new people experience my work.”

Kaboti Adakai said: Having a farmer’s market in Flagstaff reflects just how great Flagstaff is, both culturally and geographically. Driving even 15 miles in any direction makes a big difference. ”

For those looking to set up their own marketplace, Kaboti Adakai recommends starting one. Many of the producers currently on the market have started their own businesses in various neighborhoods around Flagstaff.

“If you’re going to start a market, appreciate the vendors and how much work they put into getting them up there,” says Kaboti Adakayi. “At some vendors, he worked 80 hours the previous week and then drives 2-3 hours. Show up for them the same way they show up for you.”

You can find these stalls and caboti adakay at the market most Sundays during the warmer months ahead. For more information, check the schedule on his website at Farmer’s Market or follow us on social media.

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