When Mendon author Sarah Stewart and Conservation District staff held the first few farmer’s markets at Reed Park’s pavilion in 2007, the small group of vendors and customers that assembled for those inaugural events could not have imagined just how successful and vital this particular market would become in less than two years.
The conventional model of a farmer’s market was an urban setting, with farmers from around the region gathering to offer their wares to city dweller who longed for a taste of the country. In St. Joe, we challenged that notion by developing a small-town market designed for growers located within a five mile radius. We also defied common sense and held our market on Thursdays.
Within a year, the pavilion was nearly filled to capacity with vendors selling all kinds of home-made products. It became clear that we needed to streamline our product offerings to include only local farm produce and to establish quality standards for merchandise. With a new, clearer marketing and sales message we began the 2009 season, feeling somewhat apprehensive about these changes and our faltering economy.
By the third market day of this year, we had a waiting list of vendors wanting to sell at our market, and the quality and variety of the products was outstanding! This led to an increase in customers, and as the market hit its stride in mid summer the pavilion was overflowing with attractive vendors, eager customers, and gorgeous local produce.
Our model for a small-town market has been directly applied to the formation of at least three other area farmers markets in 2009, and the Mendon market, along with the Constantine and Athens markets, have driven increases in local tourism and associated economic activity in the county throughout the summer season: a testament to the District’s motto of “Community Development Through Conservation”.
It’s important to add that all of this planning and development work was done without any funding source other than our county appropriation, donations from the market’s founders, and stall rental fees.
In this successful and groundbreaking venture we wish to sincerely thank Sarah Stewart for conceiving the idea and managing the market on a weekly basis, to our excellent vendors, to the Village of Mendon for their support and park facilities, and to all of our loyal customers. Everyone is eagerly anticipating the start of our 2010 season.