MARKET HISTORY
The market began in November 2003 at the Pochote Cultural Center
with the support of Oaxacan artist Francisco
Toledo. The center is owned by Toledo and is part of the
famous Arquitos.
The market celebrated its fifth anniversary in November 2008.
Delicacies include organic lettuce, seasonal fruits and veggies,
candied fruit, mezcal, tejate and tamales.
Other products include Mixe ceramics, pine needle baskets and
lead-free cooking ware.
The market moved several times in 2004 and returned to the
Pochote in the fall. During the spring of 2005 there was uncertainty
of where the market would be held. In June 2005, the market
divided with some of the vendors leaving and forming the Multi-Bio
Cultural Organico.
In April 2006 textiles, including weavings, embroidery and
rugs, were banned from the Pochote Market by the decision of
Toledo, who explained that the market needs to focus on food.
2006 was a tough year given the social protests. From August-October
venders had to navigate past the barricades to sell their goods.
The market never closed, but sales plummeted in the second half
of 2006.
SIGNAGE
One of the interesting things is the development of signage,
including banners with producer information, business cards
and labels. In July 2006 the executive committee asked that
venders display lists of their goods with prices. Some of these
menus appear in the Flickr
gallery.
DICHOS
Cada dia quiero hacer las cosas mejor.
Con calma nos amanece.
No por mucho madrugar, amanece más temprano.
Nos honran con su visita.
Despues de crisis del estado, hay crisis en el mercado.
MEMBER NEWS
A number of current and former members have created their own
stores including Xiguela, Hidalgo #105 (photos),
Yunhiz, Gonzalez Ortega #400, Pochotita, Tamayo #814 (photos),
Casa de Angel (on the east side of Conzatti
Park), Cafe Orgasmico, Allende #107. In addition there are
craft stores such as Blackbox, 5 de Mayo #412, (photos)
which promotes a fair trade policy and the Mixe-owned Ayuuk
store on the east side of the plaza in Santa María
del Tule celebrates its first anniversary in March 2008.
Members also take part in other markets including the Friday/Saturday
Multi-Bio
Cultural Organico Market, Tianguis
Ecológico La Estación and Playa 8 Regiones.
OAXACA MARKET PROJECT
Pochote Market is documented in the Oaxaca
Market Project, an initiative of Planeta.com and friends
in Oaxaca. We ask visitors to print photos (seen
here archived on Flickr) and give them to the venders. This
puts a new spin on the traditional 'take only photographs' mantra
by giving the photos back and raising awareness and increasing
purchases of traditional crafts and local food.
What might be a rushed visit becomes a search for familiar
faces and seasonal products. This guide encourages you to learn
about the markets before a visit. Enjoy!
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