Maine Farmers' Markets

Comment

Comment by Gail Cutting on May 8, 2012 at 7:22am

thanks for your input, Tom.  We've spoken to the TM a couple times already, but perhaps did not give him strong enough argument.  Unfortunately, only 3 years ago the town voted NOT to allow a single entity to be licensed for a group of vendors (ie farmers market).  I see we have an uphill battle.

Comment by Tom Roberts on May 7, 2012 at 9:29pm

Why not be straight forward simply say that you all think the farmers' market should be exempted from the ordinance because of all the local employment and local commerce the market represents? The town deals with one entity, not several, new members accepted by approval of current members so that the whole thing self-polices.

The existence of a farmers' market in a town is a tremendous benefit to the town, bring in folks from all around to shop there (and at nearby businesses), and adding a note of prestige to lifestyle of the citizenry. In Waterville the hospital helps the farmers' market financially because having a farmers' market in the city means it's easier to recruit doctors to come live in Waterville, Maine. Not just because they'll shop there, but because they also prescribe fresh fruits and vegetables to their patients.

Exempting the farmers' market from the ordinance is an easy-to-do solution, costs the Town little or nothing, and gains everyone in town a considerable amount. The ordinance, even with the "day pass", seems like it will keep the market small and unable to be a contributing factor toward community revitalization.

A presentation at the town council meeting (councilors all get hard copy beforehand) attended by four or five of you might be the best way to make this request and present the arguments for it. Explain to the TM that this is your position, and you'd like to present it to the Council.

Anyway, that's how it looks from here. Hoe you find at least some of it useful.

Comment by Gail Cutting on May 7, 2012 at 8:58pm

This is exactly our desire.  I'm glad we agree.  Unfortunately the town wants a $150 peddler's license on everyone selling anything but farm produce.  The town manager is trying to address the problem by encouraging townsfolk in changing the ordinance t0 allow single day use licenses.

Comment by Tom Roberts on May 7, 2012 at 8:20pm

Gail! Such great news of market movement happening in Rumford! Here's something I wrote about expanding the range of small scale producers at a market:


""Encourage markets to invite and make space for non-farming micro businesses offering both food and other goods and services so they better reflect the productive capacities of the local economies."


More on this and related subjects at:

http://www.mffm.org/Pubs/A2020VisionForMaineFarmersMarkets.shtml

and

http://www.mffm.org/Pubs/TypesOfFarmersMarketMembers.shtml

Comment by Gail Cutting on May 7, 2012 at 6:12pm

Calling western Maine farmers and artisans!  The River Valley Farmers Market has a new venue and is calling for more vendors!  On May 18 we will open our 2012 season on Exchange St, downtown Rumford.  Hours are 1-7 pm.  With this new venue is lots more space and we are eager to grow this market, so please contact us at 364-3424 and tell us about yourself and request a membership application.

Comment by Gail Cutting on February 3, 2012 at 3:19pm

I just checked out the facebook page.  Woo Hoo!!!

BTW, the River Valley Farmers Market Association is seeking new members and new farmers.  You can request one from me.  We're located in Mexico/Rumford.

Comment by Argyle Acres on February 3, 2012 at 9:44am

Tom - that is wonderful! Thank you for sharing :)

Comment by Tom Roberts on February 3, 2012 at 7:40am

Do you know the Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets now has a Facebook page as well as a website mffm.org?

Comment by Melissa White Pillsbury, MOFGA's Organic Marketing Coordinator on January 24, 2012 at 1:24pm

Is your market seeking vendors?  List your openings in the Marketing Opportunities for Maine Farmers classifieds!

You must be a member of www.mofga.net to post, OR send the info to me and I'll post it for you:  melissa@mofga.org

Comment by Tracy Weber on December 9, 2011 at 1:46pm

Does anyone know or have a sense of how many farmers' markets in the state have failed in the last 5 years?  I'm trying to create a profile of markets in the state and think it's important to understand why some markets don't make it.

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