2015-03-24 - Farmer's Market Committee - Minutes Farmers Market Meeting March 24 2015
In Attendence: Paulette Greenberg Chuck Posniak Lary King
Ed Muldoon Tess Baker Mike Terson
Peggy Starzowski
Meeting called to order at 7.05pm
1) New& returning Vendors: Chuck passed out a list of the 14 vendors signed up at
this time(including food trucks). 5 are new vendors. Applications went out to 35
new vendors. Several vendors have verbally told Chuck they are planning to
return to our Farmers Market.
Vendors not returning: Katic Breads (too over extended they said),Fresh Roast
Coffee (out of business),Farm Fresh Foodstuffs, Gimmee Granola.
New vendors as of tonight: Toasty Cheese Food Truck (part time), Holcomb
Hollow (Jams,sauces,gluten free muffins & scones),Variety of Spice, Great
Harvest Bread (alternate weeks), Vesna Breads & Cookies( European breads &
cookies)
Monte's pasta (from last year) will also be making fresh crepes.
We agreed there was no need to vote on any of these returning or new vendors
tonight.
2) This past weekend, Paulette ,Chuck, Tess &Fern attended the Good
Food/Farmers Market Workshop. Chuck's goal was to find new vendors-he did.
He also found Kluges, Geneva Lakes, and others from `our market' All assured
him they did plan to return to our market this year.
Tess discussed the workshops she attended, that day. She mentioned the Oswego
Farmers Market used a company called `Survey Monkey' .This company is on
line and helps you create your questionnaire, which can then be emailed to the
vendors for feedback. She also discussed `Market Maker" Buffalo Grove is
listed as one of the farmers markets but it is out dated and needs to be updated.
This can list our vendors or special `deals' at our market for customers. Can be
used as a forum for discussion between vendors & customers. Ed will check out
this Market Maker. Maybe link it to our facebook page??
3) Paulette discussed the Link program(formerly known as food stamps) . She signed
up our Farmers Market but the Village has to complete the application. It is a 3 yr
contract. The 1" year all fees and machine rental are free. Year #2 &3 there is a
$120 fee for the machine and service fees of approx $300 (per discussion w/other
market managers)
Chuck was able to secure information based on zipcodes, on how many
households in the area have Link cards. Buffalo Grove had 800 households. Even
upscale areas like Barrington have people using Link Card.
This card is used like a debit card. The customer would come to our info booth
and tell us how much they would plan to spend. We would swipe the card and
give the customer tokens for this amount. They shop at any vendor using the
tokens. The Vendor then submits the tokens to us at the end of the day.
Link program pays the Village.. We would have to keep track of the vendor and
amount they are to be reimbursed, there would be some bookkeeping involved by
the Committee. The federal or state program then sends the reimbursement to the
Village. We in turn give a check to the vendor either weekly/monthly etc.
We would have to create or buy some sort of tokens
At the seminar it was suggested we appeal to the Rotary Club or a bank for a
grant, which could then be used to cover the service fees of the machine.
The machine choice is either an 1 phone or an 1pad.
All info was previously emailed to Peggy, Scott Anderson and Dane Bragg. Hard
copies were given to Peggy.
4) Larry- he has received commitment from the Lions'Club, Kiwanis, BG Garden
club, Vernon Area Library for several dates for their non profit booth. Paulette
gave Larry 4-5 business cards for potential new non profits, she found at the Good
Food Workshop
5) Ed- keeping facebook up to date. Facebook is now offering a `geo locater' which
could be used on our facebook page. Discussed... Ed will check it out and see
what the costs are if any additional costs.
We have received the ordered tables. One was on display. It has a nice height and
folds down flat for storage. Village ordered us 4 of them.
6) Peggy advised the Village will give her the use of a debit card for any purchases
we may need to make. (flags for opening day, the end of season lunch etc)
7) Tess inquired about a `Chef demonstration" Peggy explained the demo would
have to be within the Health Dept rules..
8) Mike explained in the summer Park District booklet the Farmers Market is not
noted. The material is currently at the printer's. They did not have any extra room
in the brochere. The kite fly will be sometime in the Fall.
9) Next meeting Wednesday April 22,2015 7prn.
10)Next meetings topics: additional vendors and tchoketes to pass out- ideas??
11)Meeting adjourned at 7.55pm