Donor Spotlight: A Love of Food, Family, and Farmers Markets
For longtime farmers market shopper and FRESHFARM sustainer donor, Paula Thiede, food is more than nourishment—it’s connection. “My parents weren’t great cooks, but dad loved growing vegetables and developed a pretty delicious ‘all the veggies in the garden’ spaghetti sauce.” That early connection between food, land, and family set the foundation for her love of farmers markets.
She’s been shopping at the Arlington Courthouse market for years—long before it became a FRESHFARM market—but it was during the pandemic that her relationship with FRESHFARM deepened. “The market was a safe place to be around other people, in the fresh air, and to purchase wonderful food that we knew was safe. Many were going through such economic and physical stress that when FRESHFARM sought donations for Thanksgiving meals, it was an easy yes.”
When asked what her favorite market find is, Paula doesn’t hesitate for a minute: “I love the local grains! I didn’t know we even had local grain growers. I also adore black raspberries. My grandfather grew them years and years ago in Illinois.”
Paula supports FRESHFARM not just for taste and nostalgia, but because it aligns with her values. “I care deeply about the environment. By shopping at the farmers market and supporting local farmers, I’m supporting the local food system. I’m reducing my dependence on transported food from far away, so I’m helping, at least a little bit.”
As a SEED Circle member—FRESHFARM’s community of sustainer donors—Paula helps more than a bit. Her recurring support fuels FRESHFARM’s work all year round, and it goes beyond the market: “FRESHFARM’s school programs [FoodPrints] are incredible—helping kids explore healthy foods in a joyful way. That’s the kind of world I want to support.”
* This profile is an effort to showcase you, our donors, allies, and volunteers. This is a time for joining forces and building trust. We do this by highlighting the faces and passions of those who make our work possible. If you want to share your food story and passions, email Lina Salazar at lina@freshfarm.org.
