Tomorrow morning the DDA votes on a recommendation to hire SEEDS as the new farmers market manager for the 2011 season.
SEEDS is a local non-profit organization devoted to ecological solutions. http://www.ecoseeds.org/. Their experience includes managing a farmer residency program and youth conservation corps work on entrepreneurial agriculture, both at the historic Grand Traverse Commons barns property.
Historically, the farmers market was managed by an individual with the title of “market master.” Contracting the job to an organization committed to local agriculture is a positive change in strategy. It shows that the city and downtown see the market as an asset we want to help achieve all of its potential, rather than a sideline whose existence is merely allowed.
The change also comes at a time when consumer interest in local agricultural products is on the upswing, as evidenced by store and restaurant menu labeling and other marketing efforts along these lines. And it sends a signal to local producers who are contemplating investments in additional capacity but need to know that these kinds of venues will be there for them well into the future.
According to SEEDS director Sarna Salzman, in addition to various mechanical and organizational tasks associated with starting the season, SEEDS intends to focus this year on building relationships with producers and downtown businesses. Mike Powers, who will run point on the project, expressed SEEDS’ commitment to maintaining and enhancing the market’s role as an important centerpiece in the local agricultural economy.
Possible changes this year include continuing the market at a downtown location during Cherry Festival (possibly the Old Town parking deck). Other possibilities on tap are “marketing the market” with logo gear, and accepting bridge cards for the first time.
The farmers market starts up May 7, and runs Saturdays from 7 am to noon, with the addition of Wednesdays from 7 am to noon from June-September.
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April 19, 2011 at 9:02 am
Jeannie Cole
I hope that SEEDS does a better job with the Sara Hardy Farmer’s Market than the DDA has in the past few years. I also think that Greg has a point, how much are we spending to have someone manage what should essientially be booth rental? What new rules and regulations will they come up with? The DDA managed to tick off many who had participated in the market for years and the result was more farmers markets in the area and less selection at the Sara Hardy Farmer’s Market. Why does the DDA have the authority to hire anyone to manage the public use of public parkland in the first place? Is this an authority that the City has given them? What is the money that is made from space rental at the market used for and who decides?
April 14, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Greg
It’s just a place to buy carrots. I sometimes think we put way too much thought and resources toward these small endeavors. I am more concerned with the thought of hiring anyone to run our vegetable stand. Don’t the farmers sell their own products? What experience does Seeds have with running vegetable stands? Would this be their first attempt or do they have a track record? It’s great that people would want to buy locally, support local farmers, but I cannot see any reason to HIRE a non-profit organization or an independent individual to run the farmers market, if they want to volunteer to help the community that’s another story, how much work can it be involved. Who recomended this?