Placita Agrícola: More Than A Market
The Placita Agrícola initiative is more than just a place to buy produce, it’s a space for the community.
At Finca Bohití, learning as a community.
For many of us, when we think of farmers markets we get a mental image of a busy space full of people and a selection of local produce. And, yes, the Placita Agrícola definitely fits this description - but it is also different. It feels like a family space: dynamic, full of meaningful interactions, where you’re always learning and exchanging ideas. We are a close-knit community, where clients come in and can directly connect with the same people that planted, nurtured and harvested their food. It is because of this that I want to dedicate today’s article to this amazing circle of exchange, and the people behind it.
It all starts with the sustainable farms that make up this initiative and the local farmers who have committed to the challenge of growing food without pesticides or chemicals. They also don’t use heavy machinery, so as to avoid compacting the soil, and to protect its abundant microorganisms and nutrients. This means that the labor behind their farms is more difficult, but also full of love and joy because we don’t just produce food, we maintain a natural energy exchange with the soil that fosters love and health. We do not exploit the soil for our benefit, rather we work with nature to receive and give life while our food grows.
With this in mind, I want to introduce you to the five farms that make up this collective, and are behind the fresh, nutritious produce that Placita Agrícola offers.
Finca Agroecológica Bohití:
Bohití’s baby goat friends.
The leading farm of this initiative, this gem is located in the Buenavista community in Las Marías. Sofía and Jordan manage this family-owned project, with great love for their harvest and animals. They manage the project as a family, letting their little ones help with their smallest sprouts while they manage maintenance, production, and processing of fruits, veggies, and other farm products like fresh juices, cakes, chocolate, coffee and so much more. This family devotes most of their time to this service, with the goal of inspiring others to adopt a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. You can visit their web page to browse their different offerings (including farm tours!)
Finca El Impulso:
Fresh, local carrot juice with no additives.
Located in Mayagüez, this farm is led by Pedro Dones, a man who believes in an autonomous, sustainable Puerto Rico, and who also possesses a wealth of knowledge that he generously shares with his community. El Impulso is run by two people who leave it all on the field for Puerto Rico to fuel the dream of feeding the community locally grown, fresh, chemical-free food. This farm produces vegetables, fruits, and other products, such as coconut water, carrot juice, sauces like homestyle pesto, and much more.
Finca Café Conuco:
This Las Marías family operation is run by couple Juan and Migdalia, two souls who love what they do. They produce fruits, veggies, and lots of coffee! This farm is an example of the passion and love that goes into planting. They prepare everything with such care, from selecting produce, to toasting their coffee varieties. They tackle the admin work (package and logo design, recipe creation, farm admin) as a family.
Micofilia:
Located in Añasco, Micofilia is a mushroom farm, run by Robert. Each variety of mushrooms honestly resemble art, due to their colors, textures, and patterns. He runs this project by himself, so few hands manage it before it gets to the market. It is a careful, meticulous production that requires curated control and observation, and he only sells the very best of his inventory. Robert is also a very knowledgeable farmer
Plenitud PR:
Our project consists of an array of programs, each of which connect to the other, in a similar way to how we are all connected to each other. Our Agriculture team (which I’m part of!) has seven members, each with a unique passion for the Earth.
Community is the driving force behind the project, and we serve the municipalities of Las Marías, Mayagüez, Rincón and Arecibo.
Produce and coffee packed and ready!
I remember my first day delivering food to clients; my mind couldn’t conceptualize the idea that grocery shopping could be fun. Yet I quickly found that people did not just come to do their shopping. They came to connect and share with people that they know and love to talk about the week’s harvest, share family recipes and recommended menus, and interact from a place of love and respect. I often see the farmers and clients share seeds, ancestral farming techniques for harvesting and planting food, even gear, tools and equipment!
More than just a marketplace, Placita Agrícola is a space for community-based farms to to constantly exchange ideas with the community they serve.
There is a unique sense of presence, even within the daily shopping rush. And it works in a symbiotic way, because thanks to the support of the customers, the farmers can continue to live off their land.
We decide what goes in our bodies.
Personally, this shopping experience has opened my mind to new foods that I’d never before seen in supermarkets, and to the power that we have to decide what goes into our bodies. This is on top of the positive impact that eating freshly harvested foods has had on my health, compared to eating foods that took months to transport to my island. This is a popular opinion amongst our clients as well: their is a range of benefits in consuming Placita Agrícola produce - from health to cost to choice. Many of our clients own local businesses, and so we know that we make an impact that goes beyond home cooking - we see that it’s possible for everyone to eat quality, healthy food.
And each week, we feel hopeful for a better food system.
If you’re reading this and feel inspired by Placita Agrícola but are far away, I want to encourage you to be the change you want to see in the world. Remember that you have the power to create your own sustainable farming initiative in your community, and invite local farms to join. If we can count on multiple small farms around the entire archipelago, we would have a local food network that provides everyone fresh food that is free from chemicals, and FULL of love throughout the whole year! You can be a part of this no matter where you are. Check out our site, and join our WhatsApp group to stay up to date on the project.
Placita Agrícola: Come local, vive saludable.
