New community exchange market in Florida
It's hippie heaven with freshly baked products, veggie lunches and talent to trade.
The Florida Community Market held over the weekend (26 and 27 July) proved wondrously successful as many residents already asked about the next one.
The usual foods, baked and cooked goods, plants and books were available at the market, but with a slight twist. Much of the foods was produced organically or prepared as vegetarian or vegan dishes, candles were home-made, music reminding of the 70s played in the background and no money was involved. The Capoeira Cidade de Ouro group from Florida enhanced its alternative vibes with their performance.
An “ungenred”, in their words, band called Rex Ruther and the Unknown Angels even had the elderly folks swaying to the music.
This community market was the first of its kind on the West Rand, with innovative and fresh bartering ideas hiding behind the simplistic name. The market, held at Florida North Bowling Club on Saturday, was the brainchild of resident Ilet Jonker. She worked with the concept of a moneyless market, incorporating ideas borrowed from the community exchange system that is practiced worldwide.
Her own alliance to the Johannesburg Talent Exchange motivated her to make other members aware of the market and have them trade. Although some stalls did trade goods for cash (like Dorcas Aid’s charity stall), the main idea behind it was to trade talents for talents, or goods for goods.
“I wanted to create a space for the community to connect,” says Jonker.
“This market is here to stay and I want to draw those people who find their communities unsafe and are afraid to leave their houses to it.”
Many of the market visitors were aware of the bartering system and were registered with Johannesburg Talent Exchange, which meant their unique number allowed them to trade their talents for coffee, something to eat or whatever tickled their fancy.
Jonker hopes to organise the next market for Saturday 30 August.
View a gallery of the event here.
It was great enthusiasm that I read this article, but the further into it I got the more infuriated I became.
Let me explain…
As a member of the community I know for a fact that a lovely lady by the name of Claudette Carter was an equal brain child in this project from the start and equally worked her a** off. I believe credit should be given where credit is due and just wanted to set the record straight.
This market is amazing and I shall continue to support it.
Who can we contact to get more information about the market. This is an amazing idea and I am all for it.
The Time for The Solutions is Here! Community Interaction with Sharing Hearts,in Skills, Knowledge, Ability and Talents!
@Kirsten Waller… No need to be “infuriated”… Claudette Carter Applied in fact Immense Value and Does Deserve to be recognized, it was unfortunate that the reporters weren’t aware, but we forgive them! We are All Learning from every experience… Community activities like this one are the Solutions for the problems of our Society and we can put an end to Poverty, Crime and Corruption, if we Operate in Togetherness, Unity and Love for One Another!
Thank You Everyone! Very Soon this Newspaper will be reporting on more Positive stories like this one and less negative stories of crime and corruption…
Please feel free to contact me for any info on trading in Talents (T) or the next Market Event (if I’m allowed to post my email address here)… domingo1776@gmail.com
@ Linda, you may contact ilet jonker 0837601186 or Claudette Carter for more 0823160206 for more info and stall bookings. Or follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridamarket for daily updated info