2015-04-22 - Farmer's Market Committee - Minutes Farmers Market Meeting 4/22//15 Minutes
Lower Level Conference Room, 50 Raupp Blvd, Buffalo Grove IL
In attendance: Paulette Greenberg Chuck Posniak Mickey Katz
Larry King Ed Muldoon
Lea Pinshower Peggy Starczowski
Not in attendance: Tess Baker, Fern Russell
Meeting called to order at 7.00 pm.
1) Link/SNAP program: Paulette said we have received the final approval for the
SNAP program. It will be a three-year contract with a service fee of$300 or based on
how many people use the program at the market. The first year will be free. The State
will reimburse the Village. The idea is that patrons would bring their SNAP cards to our
booth, indicate how much money they wanted to spend, and we would give them "chips"
in $1 and/or $5 increments for that amount. Patrons will pay vendors with the chips then
vendors would turn chips into us for reimbursement. Paulette thinks using some type of
poker chip or wooden chip would be best. She asked that volunteers research this option
to determine how much it would cost to purchase these. We will also need to decide what
equipment we will use to run the SNAP cards as well as what we will use for receipts for
vendors. We would use either an IPAD or Smartphone for this purpose, though it was
agreed that an IPAD might be best.
Paulette said though she feels all volunteers should be trained on this system, that two
committee members volunteer to handle the SNAP cards, chips, and log receipts.
Paulette said we will need to decide how often we will reimburse vendors i.e.
monthly/twice a month etc. We may need to also educate vendors if they are unaware of
how the SNAP program works. Our understanding is that the cards will only cover food
and not liquor. Paulette said we would include the market's acceptance of SNAP cards in
publicity announcements. Paulette ended this discussion by saying we could request a
one time grant to cover costs of market's participation in SNAP program and that Fern
offered to work on a grant proposal (possibly Rotary?)
Liquor sales: Paulette said we still have not located a liquor vendor for the market.
Tribune ad/Home Grown Art Fair: Paulette said the Chicago Tribune has a page that
will list all farmers' markets. Our market information has been submitted to add to their
listing. Paulette said there would be no Homegrown Art Fair this summer as only ten
artists had applied. Larry suggested we consider having "an artist of the week" or have an
event where we feature local artists under entertainment. Chuck said he would rather do
one day where artists could attend rather than one artist each week.
2) Returning/New vendors: Chuck distributed an updated list of returning and new
vendors. Apple Holler has submitted an application and has listed sandwiches as one of
their products. It is unclear if these would be fresh or frozen and what type of sandwiches
they are. Chuck said he is not in favor of Apple Holler returning because of their history
of being undependable in the past. The market already has vendors that offer donuts and
sandwiches. Committee members agreed they Apple Holler should only be considered if
assurances are made that they will be on time to market and be there as scheduled. We
would also need clarification of what they consider"sandwiches" and they could not sell
donuts. Peggy said she will get clarification and the committee will revisit this issue at
the next meeting.
Peggy said she has been in touch with Jason Scott who makes BBQ sauces, salts and
different types of seasoned peanuts. She distributed two cans of peanuts to sample.
Committee agreed we would say no to salts as we already have a vendor selling seasoned
salts.
Chuck was in touch with a vendor who sells frozen meals and he told them to send an
application in. He said Twin Gardens, River Valley and Frillman Farms would be
returning.
3) Non-profits: Larry said he has the following non-profits scheduled: BG Garden Club,
Palatine Kiwis, Indian Trials and Vernon Twin Libraries, and Sente and Nekritz.
4) Promotions: Ed suggested we give out pads with BG Farmers Market on the top that
could be used for grocery lists. He suggests pads with about 25 pages per pad. We agreed
this is a good idea. Peggy will check if there is a preferred printing vendor for the grocery
list pads.
Peggy said she is going to check with Siemens to see if we could obtain bookmarks with
flower seeds in them. There would be no cost. She will get more information.
Committee agreed we could offer both bookmarks and grocery pads as promotions.
5) Entertainment: Paulette reported that Fern has Archie McFee for entertainment-
erasers shaped like vegetables? The clown ladies will be returning. No one else has yet
been identified for entertainment. Fern had inquired about us paying entertainers. The
committee discussed this and all agreed we would NOT be paying entertainers.
Next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday May 20r" at 7pm downstairs in Village Hall.
The meeting adjourned 7:45 pm.