Every Wednesday and Friday at Market on the Mall is where you are most likely to find Rosemary Rey. There, below a shady elm tree, is the small booth that allows SNAP/ebt recipients to trade in their money for tokens to use at the market. Sitting behind that booth is Rey - who will greet you with a warm smile as you walk by. She takes about 5 hours out of her day to come here twice a week, braving the humid summer heat Fresno is notorious for. She also volunteers on Tuesdays at the nearby Garden Market at Courthouse Park. Rey has a long history with the Fresno EOC, which is why she decided to volunteer her time at Market on the Mall.
She got her start working with the EOC Headstart program in Huron as a teacher director in 1987. From there, she went on to work as a teacher director in Fresno, and later in Selma. With a total of 10 years of dedication toward the EOC, it comes as no surprise that she would want to volunteer her time at the Farmers Market, right outside of the EOC building. By working the EBT booth, it allows her the opportunity to help low income individuals buy healthy foods offered at the market. She also believes in the necessity of having a farmers market in the Valley. That is the main reason why she volunteers her time with the market.
“I really strongly feel the community needs to know what is available at the famers market,” Rey said. “We are fortunate to have a farmers market. It helps the community by allowing farmers to come in and sell goods. We have Mexican, Hmong, Dutch, Polish farmers, etc. that bring homegrown fruits and vegetables to sell. Every community and group has a different style of eating. The farmers market is able to contribute to that lifestyle.”
In addition to volunteering at the Market, Rey also sells her own handmade arts and crafts, includings aprons, childrens pillows, blankets, clothes, hair accessories and beautiful beaded jewelry that she handmakes with her Aunt. Each piece of intricate jewelry is made with numerous amounts of care and dedication; and is a homage to her Apache Native American heritage. She also participates in annual in Native American pow wow's and helps to make the colorful costumes by hand.
It is quite clear that Rey loves to give back to her community. With a giving heart and bright blue eyes that give a glimpse into her kindness, it is understandable why she has been presented with countless awards over the years. Her son, Jay, nominated her for the 2000 Latina Mother of the Year award, to which she won. She has also been recognized by KSEE 24 as one of their Portraits of Success recipients during Hispanic Heritage Month. This was in large part due to her dedication and continued passion in helping women struggling with domestic violence, mental illness or homelessness by working at the Poverello House and Holy Cross Center for Women. It is Rey’s own abusive past that allowed her the knowledge and empowerment to help others in the same situation.