Ms. Shirley: The Face of the Farmers Market
For the past 11 years, every Saturday morning, the 72-year-old Brownsville resident leaves her house at 6am to get to the Legion Park Farmers Market and help set up, unloading boxes, organizing tents and tables and laying out tablecloths. It’s all in preparation for what Ms. Shirley does best: inviting market-goers to try fresh, healthy, local produce and making a personal connection with everyone who passes through.
“She is the soul of the market,” says Art Friedrich of Urban Oasis Project. “Ms. Shirley has become part of our family and one of the most loved and recognizable faces of the market because of her constant good spirit, her care for all individuals, her wonderful hugs and her constant encouragement for people to expand their boundaries and try things new and delicious.”
A Native Miamian
Born at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Ms. Shirley went to Booker T. Washington and Miami Jackson. She put herself through surgical technical school and worked for 40 years as an assistant to a doctor at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute before retiring. One day, while visiting the Jessie Trice Community Health Center in Brownsville with her cousin, she noticed Urban Oasis Project setting up a farmstand with local produce.
“She was so excited about the fruits and vegetables, she matched our enthusiasm,” recalls Urban Oasis Project founder Melissa Markham. “‘Why don’t you help us?’ I asked her.”
“I got intrigued,” says Ms. Shirley. “I was always interested in giving back to the community.” She started volunteering, handing out fruits for people to sample. “One lady told me, ‘Ma’am, I never had fruit before I met you.’ Moms would say, ‘My son doesn’t eat fruit.’ I said: well, you can try.” Markham called Ms. Shirley the Fruit Pusher.
When Urban Oasis Project set up a farmers market in Miami’s Upper East Side, Ms. Shirley went to Art Friedrich, now head of the nonprofit, to offer to help. “She started volunteering because she saw how a lack of fresh food in diet had affected her, her family and her community,” he says. “She truly believes in the power of food to heal, and the importance of supporting local farmers.”
Cleaning Jackfruit
Ms. Shirley grew up enjoying many of the fruits sold in the market, but she had to learn about others, particularly the watermelon-sized jackfruit. “The first time I saw it, I thought it was a porcupine,” she says. “They taught me how to clean it – it’s messy and sticky, so you put oil on your hands, then pull out the seeds and strings.” The massive tropical fruit has turned out to be a favorite. “I love it1” she says. “It tastes like banana, pineapple, Juicy Fruit gum,” When jackfruit is in season, Ms. Shirley puts on a show for customers, skillfully pulling out the arils and seed pods. During the year, she offers samples of guava, mango, avocado, sugar apples, tamarind and other tropical produce: “Try a little piece!” Customers “come back every Saturday. I love sharing – that makes me feel awesome.”
Getting people to try local fruits and vegetables is only part of what Ms. Shirley brings to the farmers market each week, says Art Friedrich. “Markets are also about building community and so much more,” he says. “Shirley has truly helped us fulfill our mission to make local food more accessible to all. With her around, a much broader demographic of people see themselves reflected in the local food movement than what many of the stereotypes of foodies are.”
“It’s the best market,” says Ms. Shirley. “I’m glad I’m a part of it.”
Meet Ms. Shirley
Find her at the Urban Oasis Project stand every Saturday from 9am-2pm at the Legion Park Farmers Market, 6500 Biscayne Blvd.
