A group of local farmers in Washington, D.C., believes that they were denied vendor spots at one of the most profitable markets in the city based on their race.
Forbes reports that a group of black farmers and food makers are accusing Freshfarm, owner of D.C.’s largest farmers market in Dupont Circle, of denying them vendor spots.
One of those entrepreneurs is Toyin Alli, the owner/chef of Puddin’, a street food vendor who sells comfort food such as their signature Brown Butter Bourbon Bread Puddin’ at local markets and from two food trucks.
Alli and several other black food producers have been talking about Freshfarm’s discrimination for years.
“If you truly valued your black-owned business vendors then why do we only represent less than one percent of vendors at your highest grossing market, Dupont Circle,” wrote Alli on her Instagram page.