Unique Farmers Market Proves Successful In Idaho’s Treasure Valley

As the pandemic intensified in early 2020, farmers markets felt the impact with many shutting down for the season and in some cases the following year as well. But in response, came REKO in the greater Boise area. This on-line platform connects consumers with local producers, and then arranges for pick up at a safe location. Organizer Brecca Hipwell said REKO became a great source of sales for producers who were shut out of their regular avenues of income but has since become a favorite.

“If you think of our producers that raise fresh produce, they’re preparing a lot of produce to take to a farmers market in hopes of selling it, where in this type of platform, they aren’t hoping to sell it, it’s all presold and they are only preparing what’s been presold.  That’s how REKO works, it’s an all on-line, presale farmers market.  So, we don’t show up at locations with extra goods to sell.”

Hippwell said REKO allows vendors to reach additional consumers without spreading themselves thin. And she noted consumers benefit from this model as well.

“We’re creating a food community.  That’s something that we’ve heard over and over again is that people just want a sustainable food community that’s close to them that they feel that they can rely on.”

Hippwell says the REKO model allows producers to sell their goods 52 weeks out of the year, rather than just when weather cooperates.