Love Is Cooked, Not Just Spoken

February is a month of remembrance, pride, and love. As we celebrate Black History Month and Valentine's Day,

we're reminded that love in Black culture has always gone deeper than romance. It lives in our food, our traditions,

and our communities. Our African food tells stories. It speaks of resilience, ancestry, survival, and joy. Every grain of

rice, every spice blend, every shared meal is an act of love passed down through generations.

So, this month, Southwest Farmers Market invites you to celebrate Black love in all its forms; love for self, love for

spouse or partner, love for family, love for community, and love for our roots, through the flavors of Africa. Nourish

your body. Honor your roots.

In many African cultures, love is shown by cooking. A warm pot on the stove means you are welcome. Meals are

shared, not rushed. Food connects elders to children, memory to future. When you shop at Southwest Farmers

Market, you're not just buying groceries, you are preserving culture and passing it forward.

Remember, Valentine's Day doesn't have to be about chocolates and roses alone. It doesn't have to be just between

lovers, spouse, or partners. This year, Southwest Farmers Market is encouraging you, regardless of the color of your

skin, to make it about intention; a meal prepared with meaning, history, and heart. Therefore, love matters everyday.

Create a memorable Valentine's Day meals rooted in Black history. All these and more are available at all available at

Southwest Farmers Market nationwide:

• Jollof Rice – bold, celebratory, and deeply loved

• Asun - tasty as it melts in your mouth

• Eforiro Soup – rich, comforting, and nourishing

• Spiced Proteins – smoky, flavorful, unforgettable

• Zobo (Hibiscus) Drink – vibrant, refreshing, and symbolic of love and vitality

• Chin Chin or Puff Puff – sweet treats to end the evening

Black History Is Living, and It's Delicious

Supporting Black-owned businesses is one way to honor Black history. Cooking ancestral foods is another. This

February, stop by at any Southwest Farmers Market location and create your own Black Love Basket, from authentic

African spices to ingredients, or choose from our curated lunch or dinner bundles designed for couples, families, and

self-love moments. Because loving him or her, your roots or self, is always in season.

Black history lives in our food. Because you matter, celebrate love daily. We have the foods, spices, ingredients you

need to help you celebrate love the African way.

Honor your roots by eating or cooking meals that tell our story. Make it a date night, the African style, this

Valentine's Day. Remember, Southwest Farmers Market always serves her customers with love, all year

round.

Visit us in-store today.

By Nkem DenChukwu