Shoppers peruse responsibly-made fashion at a recent V Market. Photos courtesy of V Market.

Aug. 15, 2017

You may have already added more plant-based dishes to your diet, but a DFW-based vegan pop-up market wants you to consider the other products you buy. Shoppers can peruse some of the local options when V Market heads to Oak Cliff this Saturday, from 8 a.m  to 1 p.m. at Good Local Market's Tyler Street location, across from Tyler Street Christian Academy at 909 West 9th Street.

V Market shoppersYou'll find a variety of vegan goods, including plant-based skin care products, pet shampoos, local jewelry, curated plants, sustainable homewares, fair trade or American-made clothing and a selection of local plant-based foods from the area. 

“V Market is a completely vegan pop-up market, meaning we pop up in different places all over the Metroplex and everything sold in our markets is free from animal products and byproducts,” says V Market co-founder Christina Bluford.

Bluford said bringing a vegan presence to an established local farmers market is a small dream come true.

“We’re happy to help bring a fresh new audience to their markets while we show those who wouldn’t otherwise visit an all-vegan space the variety of foods and goods that are available without the use of animals. It’s win-win for both of us, and this is the kind of partnership we love to develop with local businesses and nonprofits.”

A freelance graphic designer, photographer and social media consultant by profession, Bluford says her work with the market is a labor of love in fulfilling her passion to promote the welfare of animals and the planet.

V Market skin careA Joy Forever Skincare back features vegan bath and body care.

Bluford along with co-founder Katie Remis launched the first V Market in March of 2016. She was inspired by the vegan pop-up markets she saw in New York, Portland and other cities with established vegan businesses.

Since then, it’s developed a following of Dallas area vegans, vegetarians, plant-based dieters and people with food allergies along with eco-conscious consumers while giving vegan businesses another opportunity to show the general public what they offer.

“Our mission is to act as an incubator for startup vegan businesses in the area and to provide a place for other local businesses to develop, test and promote new vegan friendly offerings. We also hope to make vegan local, ethical and sustainable shopping a little easier several days out of year, since many of the small businesses who participate in our markets are spread across the DFW area,” Bluford says.

“The vegan demand is ever-growing in Dallas, whether it comes from full-fledged vegans or the veg-curious among us. It will only continue growing now that we know animal agriculture is damaging to our environment. Eating plant-based is the future.”

Like a rare blue moon, V Market will have two events in August. After the Aug. 19 event, V Market will pop again on the 24th from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at local chocolatier CocoAndré at 508 West 7th Street in Dallas.

V Market soy candle“Our events are usually in Dallas proper, but we try to hit suburb cities outside of Dallas when we can, too,” she says. “We often pop up in local businesses we partner with like breweries, coffee shops, restaurants or event spaces. Popular past locations include TreeHouse, TUPPS Brewery, Local Press + Brew, V-Eats at Trinity Groves, The Quixotic World and Shipping & Receiving in Fort Worth. We love any opportunity to help promote our local businesses.”

As for markets coming up later this years, Bluford says, they try to plan one every month or every other month depending on the season. 

“We’re always on the lookout for unique new spaces to pop up in. We’re looking for locations outside of Dallas right now, and plan to have a few holiday events, too. “ 

V Market Cykochik bagsThey have anywhere from 10 to 25 vendors depending on the location. Some of their more notable vendors have been Reverie Bakeshop, CocoAndré Chocolatier, Cykochik Custom Handbags, V-Eats Modern Vegan, Resoycled Candles, Sugar Monkey Bakery, Christy Robinson Jewelry, Handmade Recycled, Plant Based Grocery, Hearth & Hovel, Down To Earth Food Truck. 

Dallas-based Cykochik bags are made from both eco-friendly synthetic and natural fibers.

“We occasionally welcome an out-of-town vendor, most recently Cake Thieves, a vegan bakery who specializes in donuts, came in all the way from San Antonio.”

Bluford says the response she’s seen at each market keeps her motivated and even excited to plan and promote each upcoming event.

“There is a definitely a demand for vegan [products] here in Dallas, and we use bright and fun marketing, along with copious amounts of vegan food images on Instagram, to promote to our target audience, and it gets them excited,” she says. “It works as both an outreach and a fulfillment of demand, which was our intent. The response has been amazing, otherwise we may have thrown in the towel long ago. There’s nothing like all the smiles and positivity we see from all the patrons and vendors on market days. People definitely show up to our markets to spend money to support concepts they believe in. It’s kind of beautiful to see.”

V-Market 

About: The DFW-based vegan pop-up markets were cofounded by Christina Bluford and Katie Remisare in March 2016. Since then, the markets have been at different locations around the Metroplex every 4 to 8 weeks.

Next Market: Aug. 19, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Good Local Market's Tyler Street market, 909 West 9th Street, Dallas

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