A "Free Market" That Really Is Free

On Saturday, June 18th, the Baltimore Free Farm and the Baltimore Free Store will partner for the first time in order to host a Free Market at the Free Farm’s warehouse in Hampden. The Free Market, a long-held Free Store tradition, is a market in which donated and salvaged goods are redistributed to the public completely free of charge. While the Free Store and Free Farm will be donating some goods, the majority of items will be donated on-site by community members. Donations of any items, that are in good working condition, will be accepted between 10am and 12pm. The market will open for shopping at noon. Free Markets were first initiated in Baltimore in 2002, when a group of student activists at Towson University began dumpster-diving and giving away their finds. In 2004, this project was formalized through the opening of the Free Store, an organization specifically dedicated to changing “the way people view their relationship to their goods, their community, and their earth” through the free redistribution of otherwise unwanted goods, specifically to low-income neighborhoods. As the Free Store did not yet have official store space at that time, they accomplished their mission by holding Free Markets in various low-income neighborhoods throughout the city. Through partnering with community organizations, recreation centers, and churches, the Free Markets were able to bring discarded goods to those who could use them most. The collaboration between the Free Farm and the Free Store was established when members of both organizations recently met and realized that their missions, sustainability through changing the way people relate to consumer goods and the earth, were aligned. As the Free Store is currently moving to a new location, the Free Farm offered to host a Free Market at the Free Farm warehouse on 3510 Ash Street. Everyone is encouraged to both shop at and donate to the Free Market, and anyone interested in volunteering at the event should arrive at the Free Farm at 9:30am to help set-up. The Free Farm will be providing refreshments, and, depending on their crops, salad sourced from the garden. Additionally, on the evening of the 18th, after the Free Market, the Free Farm will host the CD release party for the Baltimore String Felons. The String Felons will be performing, as well as The Bow Legged Gorilla, and several other local acts. The release party begins at 7pm at the Ash Street warehouse and is open to the public. Free Market 3510 Ash Street, Hampden Donations accepted from 10am-12pm Open for shopping from 12pm-3pm Those interested in volunteering should arrive at 9:30am All are encouraged to attend