Farmers' Market Poll

Arlington Farmers’ Market
MARKET POLL — EVALUATION

Market enthusiasts: Do you think this has been our best year? For the Market really seems to be thriving! But all the same we would like a little feedback in this time of transition, and possibly lend your talents into making our Market even better! We would also like to have Members, to have a base of support, and also to communicate with people, to have an e-newsletter, for instance. OK, first we should note that the Market has changed considerably in the last couple of years — three years ago we just had farmers! Now we have bakers, food vendors, and artisans! Do you approve of this diversity, and what about the details?? Note: space is a problem!

1.) Do you like our mix of farmers? __. We now have two organic farms (Great Oak and Grateful, the latter not cert.), and everyone else Integrated Pest Management, also meat, fish (not a farm of course), maple syrup, honey, plants, Hmong (we hope a Laotian farm will return next year), three orchards, and several big farms! Also are the Market times and dates OK? This season: June 11 to Oct 29, 1 to 6:30 save 1 to 6 in Oct. ___.

2.) Do you approve of our expansion?? ___. On a scale of 1 to 5, bakers __, what about sweets (cookies, cakes, sauces)__, what about popcorn? __, coffee and tea__, your preferences: ____________________________________________________________.

3.) Crafts: what is you opinion?_____________________________________________. Should we favor food vendors over artisans? __. We are thinking of having just 1 crafts tent & rotating as Lex does. We’re also considering letting the crafts go, just foods___.

4.) Be a member! __. Volunteer: publicity __, putting up signs __, flyers __, website __, e-newsletter __, donations of produce from farmers __, Seconds Market at Menotomy Public Housing __, running the Market Table __, non-profit table __, arranging for music or entertainment __, nutrition or cooking information __, program __. Program could mean demonstrations of the last item, food preservation, recycling, green transportation and resources, farm and food politics, etc.!

Please write us an essay on the back to expand your poll check marks! Let us have your contact information so we can contact you and vice versa. Our mailing address is c/o 67 Coolidge Road, Arlington, MA 02476.

Cooperatively, Oakes & Patsy

Oakes Plimpton, E-mail: plimag@rcn.com; Patsy Kraemer, patsyLkraemer@comcast.net.

Note: Essentially Oakes is retiring & Patsy is taking over as Market Manager next year!

July Market News

NEWS: Due to the lack of space in the main parking lot, we have moved all the craft vendors up to the shady lawn of the Jefferson Cutter House by Mass. Ave. You will find inexpensive jewelry, handmade aprons and bags, cloth creations, pottery, paintings, photography, cookies - including gluten free very good ones. The coffees and teas will remain down with the farmers. We have one new food vendor -- TTBud popcorn - homemade popcorn from people who grew up in Arlington - one kind with both salt and sweetener. We also have Sassy Sauces -- they bring various sweet and chocolate sauces. Every other week brings the knife sharpener -- look for them Wednesday, August 6th.

Respecting the farmers, we welcome Hmong Farm with their southeast Asian veggies, such as baby bok choi and pea tendrils. Nicewicz Orchard is now there bringing blueberries and corn, also zucchinis! The farmers are already bringing native tomatoes (not greenhouse ones) and the first native corn is in! Summer squash is already here!

Hopefully the weather will become more moderate -- the two weeks ago market had us all hanging on to the tents and weathering the hail coming down, thunder and lightening!! Fortunately no loss of tents. At the Market today, and next week too, Intern Rachel will be handing out $5 gift certificates for the Crafts -- stroll up there to view their creations!