The Season Starts Here
An interview with Ashley Nathe of the Minneapolis Farmers Market
The Minneapolis Farmers Market is more than a place to buy produce — it’s a living history of farming, immigration, family businesses, and community life.
In this episode of Midwest Meets Mediterranean, I sit down with Executive Director Ashley Nathe to talk about the market’s remarkable legacy, the families behind it, and why local food systems still matter.
Ashley literally grew up at the market. Her parents met there, and her family has sold produce there for decades. That deep connection gives her a unique perspective on what keeps this historic institution thriving.
What You’ll Learn
How the Minneapolis Farmers Market became one of the region’s most iconic public spaces
Why Ashley Nathe’s lifelong connection to the market shapes her leadership today
The surprising history behind the market’s structure and vendor community
How family farming traditions continue across generations
The role of SNAP/EBT and food accessibility in modern farmers markets
Why the Hmong farming community has become an essential part of the market’s identity
How vendors balance tradition, seasonality, and changing consumer habits
What makes the Minneapolis Farmers Market different from other public markets
Why local food systems still matter in an increasingly industrialized food culture
The stories, relationships, and people that make the market feel alive season after season
00:00 Intro
00:18 Welcome
01:09 Ashley Background
04:06 Market Family
09:20 Ashley’s Parents’ Story
11:32 Surprising Market History
12:57 The Unique Market Board
15:39 Decisions For Longevity
22:42 SNAP EBT
25:10 Farming Now
29:57 Hmong Community
32:59 Other Unique Vendors
39:38 Variety and Ashley’s Background
Bonicelli Cooking Club
https://bonicellicookingclub.com/
Minneapolis Farmers Market
https://www.mplsfarmersmarket.com/
Facebook
/ mplsfarmersmarket
Instagram
@mplsfarmmarket