Say Goodbye to 'One of the Good Guys"

The message dated Nov. 6 was simple and poignant: "Your Neighbor's Garden is closed."

The email and Facebook post made the rounds of the local food community following the death of Your Neighbor's Garden owner Ross Faris after a bicycle accident last Saturday.

As the message explained, "The family and staff have decided it best to end our season early and close the market as we take time to grieve."

It's OK. We understand.

We're grieving, too.

Anyone who met Ross at a local farmers market or stopped by Your Neighbor's Garden over the years can't help but feel the loss.


The City Market's Stevi Stoesz certainly does. She met Ross in 1996 when he helped her develop plans for the popular Downtown farmers market.

"He was my very first vendor and biggest cheerleader," said Stoesz, "for not only the farmers market at the City Market, but all the great area markets."

Local food activist, writer and consultant Wendell Fowler said simply, "I'm heartbroken. Ross was one of the good guys."

And R Bistro's Erin Kem spoke for all local food fans when she said, "I can't imagine a growing season without him."

Read more of Jolene Ketzenberger's tribute to this amazing and inspirational man here.