Farmers markets offer fresh produce and homemade wares at affordable rates, but at the Free Range Farmers Market guests get the added benefit of community and connection. The market runs every Friday morning in the courtyard of Wake the Dead Coffee House. Summer hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Guests can enjoy a coffee and brunch as they explore all that local vendors have to offer. Vendors offer selections of fresh produce, home grown plants and flowers, baked bread, herbs, artwork and more. An additional benefit is the sense of community fostered by the founders Chris and Haeli Spence. After Covid the couple realized they wanted to build something together instead of working separate jobs. After some negative experiences at other farmers markets, they wanted to create a market that was open and inclusive to everyone.
“It became about creating a space for everyone [and also] the mission of healthy food, community and bringing small businesses together,” Haeli said. “We both really enjoy working with new businesses and startup businesses, so now we’re able to work with dozens upon hundreds of businesses throughout the year that we’re able to collaborate with and hold space for, literally. [We get] to be a part of their growth and evolution and to really create that community with everyone.”
The market exists digitally through their social media posts. Not only do they offer a space for local businesses to showcase and sell their products but they offer promotion through their social media platforms.
“We love our social media presence, it has just exploded, and there’s thousands of people that we’re reaching. It’s just become this vision of creating a space for us and our local community and it’s reached so many other communities even outside the state,” Haeli said. “We have vendors that drive two-and-a-half hours every Sunday just because they love the community and what we’re able to do together.”
The Spence’s also host the weekly La Cima Farmers Market located at the La Cima housing community at 301A Central Park Loop with summer hours being 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We really want to push more collaboration,” Chris said. “Our motto is community over competition. We have a lot of the vendors that will do collaborations together like we’ll get chiles from West Texas and one of the jelly people makes a smoked chili jelly or one of our wood vendors make signs for our farms and produce vendors.”
The market stays consistent, in its first year they hosted 49 out of the 52 Fridays.
“We always say whether there’s two of us or ten of us, we’re going to show up,” Haeli said.
The founders have had a strong relationship with Wake the Dead since the coffee house opened up 17 years ago.
“[Wake the Dead] is such a staple of the community. We know they have all the different communities back and they want to offer that space to anyone they can,” Haeli said. “That’s why we feel so lucky to be here; this place feels like home.”
Jym Evans is a local artist who has been selling prints, stickers and original artwork at Free Range.
“I found kind of like a family here,” Evans said. “Honestly, if I don’t sell one thing here it’s not a problem because really I’m here to hang out.”
Chris Spence has also founded a special market at Wake the Dead called the Naughty Market, which is a free public health market that offers free HIV testing, mental health services and a judgment free zone for adults 18 and older.
“It’s been fun to see the different communities that have come together. On one of the surveys we did, the youngest person was 18, and the oldest person was 73,” Chris said. “It was really cool to see these very different generations coming together at that event and celebrate it together, which is something I feel like you usually don’t see.”
“I think what we want people to know is we really are at a time where building community may be hard, but you can find a community that you can be a part of and not to afraid to meet people, to connect with people you, to really put yourself out there,” Haeli said. “ Because, really, all of us, no matter where we land, are just looking to be seen and understood. Just pull up a chair and stay awhile, you don’t even have to spend money.”
The Free Range Farmer’s market is at Wake the Dead Coffeehouse every Friday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn more about their vendors on their Instagram page at @freerangefm. The La Cima Farmers Market runs every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with more information posted on Instagram at @lacimafarmersmarket. Information about The Naughty Market can be found on their Instagram page at @thenaughtmarket.
