How Local is the Minneapolis Farmers Market?

Over on Simple, Good, and Tasty, Fresh and Local host Susan Berkson explains and champions the Minneapolis Farmers Market against those who would knock it down for hosting some vendors who sell non-local food. A brief slice: “We are in an under-served neighborhood. A neighborhood without food security. Without us, there would be no fruits or vegetables in this area. So by default, we are the green grocer for this neighborhood. And people want their bananas and pineapples and cherries. And they should be able to get them. Regardless of their income.”

4 Comments

  1. Jason DeRusha

    I too have been sucked in by the “Minneapolis Farmer’s Market isn’t local enough” meme. But I was there this weekend and it was wonderful! Wonderful! I love Mill City, but that’s not at a price point everyone can afford. The Ames Honey guy told me that he sells 4 times as much honey at Minneapolis than he does at Mill City. The resellers bring in people who are then exposed to the local growers. It’s a win-win for everyone.

  2. Brian Ames

    Thanks Jason for the kind words.

    I want to note that there is plenty of room for Mill City Farmers Market also in Minneapolis, they serve a unique clientele and provided room for new growers at a time of expansion in farmers markets in the metro. I don’t think that it should be a contest between markets as we all share similar visions and goals of providing local farmers and processors a venue for selling. There is a fair amount of bashing at times in the media and social sites concerning the Mpls Lyndale Market that I beleive is unfair and unnecessary if all the facts were to be known.

    There is also a history at the Mpls Farmers Market that is relevant to explain here. In the 1970’s we went from 12 metal roofed aisles to the current 3 and the market almost closed for lack of interest. The City of Mpls okayed the reselling of produce to keep the market open. Many of those resellers are still here in some cases as a 2nd generation. There has been a moratorium on any new resellers in effects for a long time.

    The Mpls Market at Lyndale is completely self supporting and we send a quarter of our rent from members back to the city for use of the facility. This is a unique distinction among markets in Mn. which mostly rely on financial support from city government, donations and volunteers.

    Another source of identity confusion is that the smaller market adjacent to the City of Mpls Farmers Market is privately owned and called the Farmers Market Annex. SInce it is privately owned they have their own set of guidelines on vendors. Obviously the Lyndale market has no control over the Annex operation and what is sold in that venue.

  3. Brian Ames

    Thanks Jason for the kind words.

    I want to note that there is plenty of room for Mill City Farmers Market also in Minneapolis, they serve a unique clientele and provided room for new growers at a time of expansion in farmers markets in the metro. I don’t think that it should be a contest between markets as we all share similar visions and goals of providing local farmers and processors a venue for selling. There is a fair amount of bashing at times in the media and social sites concerning the Mpls Lyndale Market that I beleive is unfair and unnecessary if all the facts were to be known.

    There is also a history at the Mpls Farmers Market that is relevant to explain here. In the 1970’s we went from 12 metal roofed aisles to the current 3 and the market almost closed for lack of interest. The City of Mpls okayed the reselling of produce to keep the market open. Many of those resellers are still here in some cases as a 2nd generation. There has been a moratorium on any new resellers in effects for a long time.

    The Mpls Market at Lyndale is completely self supporting and we send a quarter of our rent from members back to the city for use of the facility. This is a unique distinction among markets in Mn. which mostly rely on financial support from city government, donations and volunteers.

    Another source of identity confusion is that the smaller market adjacent to the City of Mpls Farmers Market is privately owned and called the Farmers Market Annex. SInce it is privately owned they have their own set of guidelines on vendors. Obviously the Lyndale market has no control over the Annex operation and what is sold in that venue.

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