J. Robin Moon (JRM): TELL ME ABOUT YOU – YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND, YOUR PERSONAL STORY, YOUR CONNECTION TO THE FOOD SYSTEMS AT LARGE. 

Dennis Andaye (DA): I am a professionally trained journalist and photographer. Being diagnosed with a severe autoimmune disease inspired me to get into the food space and build a love for community farmers markets. Through the markets, I have connected and interacted with hundreds of producers. I have founded, launched, and managed numerous farmers markets in Kenya for more than 14 years to date. I have also seen small producers and brands thrive, some from the ideation stage and prototype level, and others already established. My joy is to continue seeing community farmers markets being a spot where direct producers meet their fans and vice versa, and the local economy continues to thrive.

JRM: HOW DID YOU GET INTO WORKING IN/FOR FARMERS MARKETS? 

DA: My journey into the world of farmers markets dates back to 2010. This is the year that I was diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disease called Myositis that nearly killed me. In my research and trying to understand and manage the condition, I came across a line in an article that said I could manage the condition by consuming organic and safe foods. This inspired me to become a farmer and inspire the movement of community farmers markets here in Kenya.

RJM: TELL ME ABOUT THE FARMERS MARKET THAT YOU CURRENTLY RUN.

DA: Currently, there is the Organic Farmers Market and the Weekend Market. These two brands operate every week, on Saturday and Sunday. The markets are a platform for over 170 vendors, with sections of farmers, healthy value-added food vendors, and local handmade crafts. I also have RightEats Food Market and MakersMarketKE brands that run markets in the Mall setup.

JRM: OF THE FM DEFINITION (A RECURRING AND INTENTIONALLY COORDINATED ASSEMBLY OF LOCAL FARMERS OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES, SELLING DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS THEY HAVE GROWN, HARVESTED, AND/OR PROCESSED), WHICH PART IS THE MOST CHALLENGING TO KEEP INTEGRITY AND CONSISTENCY?

DA: In the food chain, the challenging part is that not all farmers and producers are truthful, even with tight measures. We are not in their production spaces every minute of the day, so guaranteeing quality to the consumers is not something we can comfortably say we can do. You’ll occasionally find producers who cheat in the process, sneaking produce not from their farms and not disclosing that information.

JRM: WHAT IS YOUR VISION OF YOUR FARMERS MARKETS AS PART OF YOUR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM AND (SHORT) FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN?

DA: My wish is to have as many community farmers markets here in Kenya as possible. This will not only lead to fresher and healthier food options for the respective communities, there will be a reduction of the environmental impact associated with long-distance transportation. Shortening the food supply chain should be the agenda across Kenya. Seeing a resilient local food system that directly connects consumers and producers is the goal and intention.

JRM: WHAT KIND OF RESOURCES DO YOU AND YOUR FM NEED MOST, FROM ORGS LIKE WORLDFMC AND IN GENERAL?

DA: Organizations like WorldFMC are becoming resource centers for farmers markets. WorldFMC, for instance, has put together beautiful, practical materials that can strengthen existing markets. Access to well-researched, progressive information about farmers markets is great for our growth. Global, in-person, or online meetings and discussions with other like-minded farmers market organizers make it easier to learn from each other and, in return, make us better in the way we run our respective markets.  

JRM: TELL ME ABOUT THE MAMI FM TRAINING INITIATIVE THAT YOU ARE PART OF. AND TELL ME WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT IT, AND WHAT IT MEAS TO YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES. 

DA: MAMi project is such a fantastic and noble initiative taking over globally, starting with five countries – Kenya, Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Albania. This project is going to directly touch the lives of many smallholder farmers and respective communities where the markets will be set. For instance, here in Kenya, through the project, we will be able to set up new markets and, in the long run, establish more new ones through the generous funding being provided. Beyond the funding, there is practical support and advice offered by experienced MAMi professionals in the space of operating farmers markets. They are walking with us and guiding us on every step throughout. We have been privileged because the MAMi crew has also visited us in Kenya, and they have met with local farmers, producers, and stakeholders in the agricultural space, as well as the Kenya team that runs markets. They also helped us promote the concept of farmers market to the farmers, producers, and various stakeholders. We are looking forward to a long and beneficial relationship over the years and seeing the lives of smallholder farmers transform positively.

ABOUT INTERVIEWEE:

Dennis Andaye: An entrepreneur, journalist, photographer, and champion of farmers markets in Kenya. Operator of Nairobi’s Organic Farmers Market. The Kenya representative for the Mediterranean and African Market Initiative (MAMi) Farmers Market Training.