Originally from Somalia, Amina is a Somali Bantu who has been growing and selling produce at Louisville farmers’ markets for more than 10 years. Bantus are an ethnic minority in Somalia, many of whom were brought there from Southeast Africa as enslaved persons. Native Somalis are known as nomadic traders, and Bantu are the farmers.
When Amina, her husband, Bakar, and seven children fled the Somali civil war they didn’t know if they would ever farm again, but now the family cultivates two gardens, one plot designated for commercial sales and the other for family consumption. She sells to many local restaurants, especially in the East Market District, and at several farmers’ markets.
Visit Bakar Family Farm located along the Shelbyville Road side of the market and enjoy their many varieties of fresh vegetables.
