Market Garden

The Market Garden, where people from all over North Texas can learn how to sustainably grow their own fruits and vegetables opened October 2015 and is located directly east of The Shed. The Space is name for Ida Papert, or “Mama Ida,”  a local legend at the Dallas Farmers Market. Mama Ida’s Teaching Garden at the Dallas Farmers Market offers custom-designed educational programs, seasonally, for people of all ages.

The tireless work of this long-time supporter — she started shopping at the DFM in 1953 and formed the Dallas Farmers Market Friends in 1991 — is a big part of why Dallas gets to enjoy fresh produce today. Papert was more than just a shopper; she was a local matriarch. She could be found at the market every Saturday morning carrying her personalized bag that said, “Ida’s Gotta Have It,” filled to the brim with produce. She delivered preserves to each stall, made from produce bought at the market.  She took this passion for the farmers and enthusiasm for the Market and created Dallas nonprofits and cooking classes for enthusiastic foodies.

Continuing Mama Ida’s legacy and passion, a walk around The Market Garden these days captures some of the unique varieties of all kinds of produce growing in North Texas. Visit in early spring to see peas climbing to the sky, in the summer heat to see tomatoes of all colors and squash as big as your head and learn about the latest project our garden team is working on.

The garden was funded by the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a leading charitable organization of the entertainment industry that harnesses the collective power of the entire industry to raise awareness and funds for critical health, educational and social issues. Downtown Dallas Inc. provided dozens of tools for the build, including shovels, rakes, buckets, trowels, wheelbarrows and more. The garden helps to fulfill our mission to ensure the Dallas Farmers Market is a community space rich with activity for our all our neighbors to experience and appreciate fresh, local foods.