25 Responses to “why does the Farmer’s Market suck?”

1. posted by Mary Kroll at June 14, 2008 7:42 pm [#]:
   

   Yes, we do realize that people work on Thursdays, but that’s the day that the Department of Economic Development holds the Fresh Market. You can find those Thursday vendors at other local farmers markets on Saturday, such as Lakeside or South of the James. I hope the author will take their complaint to the City and not just whine into the void of cyberspace.

   Mary Kroll
   5+ year Thursday vendor

2. posted by Bill at June 14, 2008 8:44 pm [#]:
   

   The comment by Mary Kroll was probably the rudest remark that I have seen on this blog. If that bitter vendor is any indication of who is working the market, then I can see why it has not succeeded. I go down to the market on Thursday and Saturday (yes,today) and can’t find the fresh produce that I would expect from a “farmer’s market.” The produce vendors buy their product from the same wholesalers that the supermarkets and restaurants buy theirs from. Same product, same mark up. Let’s talk when the Hanover tomatoes and the other locally grown produce come in. Then I will be happy to pay the price for “fresh”. Until then we will “whine into the void of cyberspace” as our bitter vendor so crassly put it.

3. posted by hillkid at June 14, 2008 8:56 pm [#]:
   

   There’s an opening for manager of the 17th St. Farmer’s Market. I believe that the job listing should be in the paper within the next week or so.

4. posted by Kelley at June 14, 2008 9:40 pm [#]:
   

   the byrd house market in oregon hill is great. most of the vendors grow their own stuff. and there’s a lot of variety. it’s on tuesdays, and it stays open til 7, so it’s good for 9-5ers.

   http://www.byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com/

   and join the e-mail list!

5. posted by j at June 14, 2008 10:09 pm [#]:
   

   The city needs to form an organization and let it run the farmer’s market. The city’s bureaucracy is really holding it back. Even leasing it to a private company would be better. The manager position has open open for a long time.

6. posted by kimmy at June 15, 2008 1:08 pm [#]:
   

   This real person doesn’t work on Thursdays but I understand what the writer was trying to communicate. The farmer’s Market on 17th Street has the potential to really take the lead on the growing demand for local and organic products. Instead, it languishes.

   Ms. Kroll, Cyberspace is not a void. It is a new way of communicating, learning, sharing, creating and building community. Clearly the author is expressing frustration with the state of the Market and he/she expressed it in writing. Who knows what that action will lead to…perhaps a phone call or a letter or filling out an application for Market Manager….who knows?

   Personally, I wonder if the city has other plans for the market and prefers to see it fail. Of course, that is pure speculation.
   It will be interesting to see what the future holds.

7. posted by Scott Sibley at June 15, 2008 5:05 pm [#]:
   

   For over a year I have been attempting to get attention from the city regarding the market and its decline. Vendors are just as upset as neighbors of the market. Unfortunately, every so often concerns are vented in a negatively viewed fashion. I am sure Mary Kroll had good intentions in her reply, though it could have been delivered in a more constructive manner.

   As Chairman of the Richmond Farmers Market Advancement Association, I am well aware of the issues the 17th Street Farmers Market faces. Although I have attempted to reach the city many times over the last year, to date I have yet to receive a positive response. The city views this as a city owned and operated market. With that, there are regulations set in place for its daily routine.

   The RFMAA was set up to rebuild the market. Our organization is working to better the market outside the restrictions the city places. For more information, please see http://www.rfmaa.blogspot.com

   Also, there are several petitions online regarding the market and the community championing growth through appointing management to the market. You may view this at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/17thst/index.html

   With continued work by the RFMAA and the support of the community as a whole, will make the market a success again.

   For more information on the RFMAA, please send a message to richmondfmaa@gmail.com to join our mailing list.

   Thank you.

   Scott Sibley
   Chairman
   RFMAA
   15 North 17th St
   Richmond, VA 23219

8. posted by Mary Kroll at June 15, 2008 5:22 pm [#]:
   

   To Bill et al,

   I apologize if I came off “bitter” or “crass”. I have been with that Market through 5 managers, three droughts, a hurricane and a once-in 7,000-years flood. To me, the language of the original post was far more rancorous and I got defensive.

   Mary Kroll

9. posted by JPS at June 15, 2008 6:21 pm [#]:
   

   I am glad that there are other Farmer’s Markets the vendors can go to on Saturdays, but this is the Farmer’s Market in OUR neighborhood. What is wrong with asking why it can’t be better and then expecting an answer from our public officials?

   So… Why did the Economic Development Authority choose 8:30-2:30 on a Thursday? That appears to be the most inconvenient time for the majority of shoppers.

   Is there an actual reason for this decision or was it arbitrary?

   As far as this being a “void in cyberspace”, this seems to be a pretty active community forum, and therefore a good place to pose and answer these questions. Though Mary Kroll’s frustration after working through so many challenges is understandable.

10. posted by Laura Bailey at June 16, 2008 12:04 am [#]:
    

    I would like to thank Kelley for recommending the Byrd House Market. We have 19 regular vendors – of whom 13 are farmers, two are flower sellers and all of these vendors grow what they sell. Additionally we have four vendors who sell their own baked goods. On the fourth Tuesday of every month we also have 4 to 5 non-food or craft vendors. Although I realize people would like their local market to improve, we’d be very happy to have any of you come out and see us. In addition to great produce, meats, flowers, and baked goods, we also have children’s activities every week and entertainment from 6 to 7 p.m. Please visit our website for information on our market and our vendors http://www.byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com

11. posted by gray at June 16, 2008 8:46 am [#]:
    

    Isn’t the farmer’s market on 17th Street the oldest in the city? It is a shame to hear of it continuous loss of vendors and people hitting markets across town. I miss the old days of the market with it’s shabby shed that provided shade and the booths filled with farmers. Maybe on particular days or evenings of the week, the booths should be rent free. After work hours would be a huge plus.

    If you lose your farmers, you’re screwed.

12. posted by hillkid at June 16, 2008 2:36 pm [#]:
    

    I’ve always thought that along with a revitalization of the vendor booths during the day, it would be great if the surrounding restaurants could have open air seating during the warm months in the market.

    Lots of European cities do this. I’m not trying to be pretentious here, I’m just saying that they seem to know how to run successful markets that are viable during the day and at night. Two cities come to mind – Rome and Nice. They have either flower or vegetable vendors during the day and at night the local restaurants take over with seating and it’s always packed.

    I understand the ABC problem, though.

13. posted by john m at June 16, 2008 2:39 pm [#]:
    

    For a closer example: Charlottesville manages to have open-air seating along their downtown mall.

14. posted by hillkid at June 16, 2008 2:49 pm [#]:
    

    Good example John. However, they would have to close off the streets on either side of the 17th St. Market at night. Charlottesville’s mall is closed to vehicular traffic.

    Richmond should find out how C’ville deals with the ABC stuff.

15. posted by john m at June 16, 2008 2:52 pm [#]:
    

    Richmond should find out how C’ville deals with the ABC stuff.

    Thats what I was going for. They seem to have worked out how to use public space in a very community & business friendly way.

    It sucks to think that the best use of the Farmer’s Market on any given night is for parking.

16. posted by hillkid at June 16, 2008 3:00 pm [#]:
    

    John:

    Totally agree.

    Scott Sibley:

    Has your group considered this? If you become the new manager, what do you think the chances are of this happening? Open-air seating, I mean.

17. posted by Scott Sibley at June 17, 2008 11:22 am [#]:
    

    Open air seating has been entertained for several months now. This came up again just Sunday during the open market. There is a great interest in this option and several restaurateurs surrounding the market would jump at the opportunity to expand their dining space.

    The Dept of ABC could deny this use. Reason for denial is the 17th St Market is not attached to any other business. If this were the case, each business could apply for an extension to their license. For example, La Bamba has a patio where they are able to serve because the patio is attached to their building. If only this were the case for 17th St, seating would be very easy to obtain.

    An agent for ABC is currently researching other permits available for this use. There may be leniences to this order, as CanCan in Carytown has an outdoor seating area though it is across a sidewalk from the actual business.

    Ill keep you up to date.

18. posted by Scott Sibley at June 17, 2008 11:32 am [#]:
    

    Regarding Charlottesville and their open seating at the Downtown mall:

    This Mall is operated by the Charlottesville Department of Parks And Recreation. The area, other than 2 cross streets, is closed to traffic and is considered a public mixed use area. Each business has ABC permits to serve outside as the bricked “patio” is attached.

    After a call to the office, City of Charlottesville Manager Gary O’Connell will offer any insight he may find in the days to come.

19. posted by Scott Sibley at June 17, 2008 3:21 pm [#]:
    

    UPDATE:

    Information is directly from ABC Special Agent Anthony Jimende. This is the agent assigned to the Shockoe Bottom and Shockoe Slip areas.

    The code forbids businesses from serving alcoholic beverages outside the confines of their businesses. This area is limited to outdoor areas accessible from businesses, and has the same address without crossing and public path, sidewalk, or street. Alcohol further, can not pass through another business prior to reaching consumer destination. 17th Street Farmers Market is not connected to any other business and is surrounded by streets, therefore businesses can not serve ALCOHOL on the premises. This is definite.

    Though the agent agrees it would be a good idea, the code will not allow it, even if the city was to apply for permit.
    The ONLY way to serve ABC controlled items is to hold a festival, shut down streets and apply for individual permits. This would be for EACH event.

    Any business is welcome, with approval of 17th Street Market Management, to serve food and non alcoholic items on the venue. This would be a GREAT way to get the non alcohol drinking lunch crowd from downtown to come to the area! Ill continue to work on this a little more to see what can be done.

20. posted by john m at June 17, 2008 3:25 pm [#]:
    

    This would be a GREAT way to get the non alcohol drinking lunch crowd from downtown to come to the area!

    Maybe; it might be hot as shit during lunch time outside in Richmond in the summer.

    To back up a little — is there a better evening use for the market other than parking?

21. posted by Scott Sibley at June 17, 2008 6:59 pm [#]:
    

    There are plans to shade the large open areas of the market during summer. The Vendor Coordinator, Linette Bond, has been looking at options for a while. The most popular is sail style canopies. They would be a great addition to the market and would provide a cooler more enjoyable outdoor environment.

    As far as later hours, wouldn’t we all love to see a market that has more publicly convenient hours as an actual marketplace? Though I have made many attempts to work with the City over the past year, I am still not privy to new plans or development ideas. I only hope as time goes on I will be able to bring the ideas of the community into focus.

    Regarding parking on the market. Please keep in mind Richmond Parking is a business as well. The independent owner makes his living from the charge paid to park on the market after hours. Though I would love to see the market alive well into the evening, protection still needs to be given to this dedicated business owner.

22. posted by john m at June 17, 2008 10:00 pm [#]:
    

    Scott – thanks for really informing us about this. I know that a lot of people really love the idea of the Farmer’s Market and want to see it succeed.

23. posted by Scott Sibley at June 17, 2008 10:13 pm [#]:
    

    IF any reader has a question, comment or concern regarding the 17th Street Farmers Market, Richmond Farmers Market Advancement Association, or the Shockoe Bottom community, please feel free to contact me! If I do not have a response, I will surely get one.

    I am available through email: richmondfmaa@gmail.com

    Thank you all for your interest!

    Scott Sibley
    Chairman
    R.F.M.A.A.

24. posted by Bud Tugly at June 19, 2008 1:38 pm [#]:
    

    I’ll put in my two cents worth on the “why not Saturday issue”:

    Several of the growers I deal with a Byrd House and Lakeside also have “closer to home” Saturday markets they attend in Hanover, Goochland, Petersburg and a couple go to the Saturday market in Williamsburg.

    As for Thursday evening markets, how can you expect given the restaurants, bars and so on in the bottom to find space for the vendors and their trucks not to mention parking for patrons?

    In Fairfax county ALL of the regional farmers markets are on weekday mornings and the Eastern Market’s is Saturday am.

    One of the grower/vendors I know has left the 17th St market for a variety of reasons but prefers afternoons since he can pick and wash his produce in the morning and then sell in the afternoon whereas at 17th St he had to pick and was the previous evening and he wares were not as fresh as possible.

    Just one point of view. Personally we no longer go to 17th ST with Byrd on Tuesdays and Lakside Wednesday’s we can choose and then if we like hit Hanover or Forest Hill Saturday.

25. posted by john m at July 2, 2008 8:03 am [#]:
    

    Pie Eyed in South Side (Style 7/2/08)

    Every Saturday morning, the little farmers’ market that could kicks the teeth out of the farmers’ market that seems to dry up a little more each season in Shockoe Bottom

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