Today we’d like to introduce you to Inga Theeke.
Hi Inga, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I moved to Memphis six years ago, I immediately found the Memphis Farmers Market and became a regular shopper. It wasn’t long before I grew from shopper to volunteer and was planted at the Information Table in the center of the market. There, I met great friends and learned even more about our truly local food systems and artisans at the market. The combination of food and creativity available at our market feeds my full-time role as a pastry chef in local restaurants and made the transition from Chicago to Memphis easy. I was able to speak directly with people growing products I had not used before and learn what I needed to know about incorporating the region and the season into my desserts. Muscadine Claufoutis is one example. 🙂
Memphis is the most welcoming and authentic community I have ever experienced. It wasn’t long before my roots with the Memphis Farmers Market grew deeper and I was serving on the Board. Currently, I am Board President and with the rest of the Board, serving as our Executive Director while we restructure the role on staff.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
This is the 20th season of Memphis Farmers Market, and we want to celebrate that milestone with the entire city which made it possible. Every week, I meet new people and learn more about the relationships that have been in place over the years and find ways to foster new relationships to join us into the next 20 years. Growing while maintaining a strong foundation to build on can be challenging for an entirely volunteer driven organization. The Board Members all work full-time and while we have identified ways to bring our professional expertise to MFM, balancing work and volunteering is always a challenge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Personally, I am a true hospitalitarian. To my core! Whether I am at work in a restaurant or serving as a Memphis Farmers Market volunteer, I stay true to that and seek opportunities to make sure all are welcome at the table and feel that before they even arrive.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The Memphis Farmers Market is always open to collaboration with Memphis organizations and businesses. Especially those which serve our local food systems, Downtown Memphis and underserved neighborhoods. We are especially seeking collaborators and sponsors who want to be involved with our 20th anniversary celebration: FarmFest on September 27, 2026. Email info@memphisfarmersmarket.org for more information or share your ideas.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.memphisfarmersmarket.org
- Instagram: memfarmersmkt
- Facebook: Memphis Farmers Market
