In light of the news that White Rock Local Market (WRLM) is to open a second location, here are some noteworthy tidbits of my recent chat with WRLM Director Sarah Perry:

1. True to its name's claim, WRLM is all local, all the time 

Farmers and artisans come from a 150-mile radius to sell their products to East Dallasites. Everything sold at the markets is fresh and locally grown or crafted. Perry said she hopes Dallas will catch on to the “local eating/shopping” phenomenon that has swept cities like Austin. 

“In Austin, they have to turn away vendors. I would like to see our city get closer to that,” she said.

Perry's main motive for eating local is food security. Most of the fresh foods in grocery chains have traveled thousands of miles before reaching shelves, leaving more opportunity for air pollution exposure. “Just say there’s nobody around us growing food… think about that. Our mission is to encourage the local food economy to become stronger,” she said.

2. WRLM is growing (that is, literally growing)

Since 2009, the market has been successful enough to open a second location at Lakeside Baptist Church on Garland Road, which will be open the first and third Saturday of the month. The pop-up market will be at its original space, The Green Spot on Buckner, the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. The big kickoff this season is March 2, and food trucks will be part of the celebration. (If there is a fifth Saturday in any month, there will be no market that day, Perry said).

Perry said time will tell how the second location will affect business.

“We will see once it gets going how successful it is. I would like to encourage people to make it more of a habit, and replace grocery store shopping to some extent,” she said.

3. WRLM's director knows what she’s doing

Perry has been shopping local for food and other goods for years. Previously, she lived and worked as a documentary television and film producer in New York City, where outdoor markets are the bread and butter to many residents’ pantries.  

Five years ago, Perry and a neighbor’s inquiry as to why Downtown Dallas boasted the city's only farmers market morphed into a hazy idea: ‘why don’t we make our own?’

A friend, Mary Norvell, and the owner of The Green Spot, Bruce Bagelman joined Sarah in making plans for a local market. They didn’t start with much and spread the word through their friends. 

“Our first market, the lineup wasn’t ideal, but you have to start somewhere. As we went forward, we would hear about farms. Some farmers started contacting us,” she said.

And the rest, they say, is history.

4. WRLM is not your average farmers market 

On top of staples like fresh fruit, veggies, and meats, shoppers can purchase locally-made crafts and hear live music at the bimonthly “everything” markets.

Plus, WRLM operates an after-school program that teaches DISD middle school students about gardening and nutrition and how to prepare healthy snacks.

Last year, the market hosted an educational workshop series, with topics including the art of pickling, wine and cheese making, and raising honeybees.

5. WRLM is adding a garden

The market has been offered space for an urban farm. Once it’s up and running, it will primarily serve as a teaching garden, she said.

“We will raise some produce to sell at the market and to donate,” Perry said. North Texas Food Bank could be one of the organizations that the market partners with for produce donations. 

6. WRLM accepts food stamps

And it was the first farmers market in Dallas to cooperate with users of the SNAP Lone Star supplemental nutrition assistance program.

“This is our fourth year to do food stamps. In other cities, the farmers, by including food stamp users, increase their ability to sell exponentially,” Perry said.

With the market being inclusive to all income levels, East Dallas food stamp users can easily purchase fresh fruit, meat, and vegetables.

WRLM kicks off its 2013 season with an “Everything Market” at its new Lakeside location on March 2. The event will go from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For the calendar of events this year, click here.