July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
It could be the start of something big (06/11/07)
Editorial
It's a small start.
But it's a start.
The re-birth of a Jay County farmers' market saw just a single vendor on Saturday, but there's good reason to believe it can grow into something substantial over the next several weeks.
The county has had a farmers' market - in fits and starts - for more than 30 years. But it's never had what it needed in terms of location, organization, and promotion.
For years, the market was a Saturday morning thing along the south side of the Jay County Courthouse in Portland. But, perhaps inevitably, that disintegrated amid squabbling among the vendors.
The problem was, the market site was public property. So when vendors disagreed about how the market ought to operate, the petty disputes landed in the laps of the county commissioners, who have plenty of more serious issues to deal with.
This time around, thanks to efforts by the city of Portland and the Portland Area Chamber of Commerce, the market will be on private property rather than public property.
Arts Place has stepped up to host the weekly Saturday afternoon market in its parking lot on East Walnut Street. A private site means that it's possible to draft rules, require vendor agreements, and make sure things run smoothly.
That was the key to Minnetrista's hugely successful farmers' market in Muncie.
And the Arts Place market hopes to dovetail with Minnetrista's success.
Because the Muncie market begins early on Saturday mornings and wraps up at mid-day, the Jay County market will begin early in the afternoon and run until 5 p.m.
That way, the two are complementary rather than competitive.
Why have a farmers' market at all? There are several reasons.
First of all, they provide a place for local growers to sell their produce to local consumers. That's why Purdue University was involved in early efforts to establish the local market back in the 1970s.
Secondly, they create activity and traffic, both of which benefit other business enterprises.
Many Saturday afternoons in the summertime, you could drive a Sherman tank through downtown Portland and not get noticed.
Our guess is, once growers start seeing produce sold, that will change.
Don't go looking for overnight success. That's not the way these things work.
But, with patience, perseverance, and a bit of promotion, this is a market that could flourish. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
But it's a start.
The re-birth of a Jay County farmers' market saw just a single vendor on Saturday, but there's good reason to believe it can grow into something substantial over the next several weeks.
The county has had a farmers' market - in fits and starts - for more than 30 years. But it's never had what it needed in terms of location, organization, and promotion.
For years, the market was a Saturday morning thing along the south side of the Jay County Courthouse in Portland. But, perhaps inevitably, that disintegrated amid squabbling among the vendors.
The problem was, the market site was public property. So when vendors disagreed about how the market ought to operate, the petty disputes landed in the laps of the county commissioners, who have plenty of more serious issues to deal with.
This time around, thanks to efforts by the city of Portland and the Portland Area Chamber of Commerce, the market will be on private property rather than public property.
Arts Place has stepped up to host the weekly Saturday afternoon market in its parking lot on East Walnut Street. A private site means that it's possible to draft rules, require vendor agreements, and make sure things run smoothly.
That was the key to Minnetrista's hugely successful farmers' market in Muncie.
And the Arts Place market hopes to dovetail with Minnetrista's success.
Because the Muncie market begins early on Saturday mornings and wraps up at mid-day, the Jay County market will begin early in the afternoon and run until 5 p.m.
That way, the two are complementary rather than competitive.
Why have a farmers' market at all? There are several reasons.
First of all, they provide a place for local growers to sell their produce to local consumers. That's why Purdue University was involved in early efforts to establish the local market back in the 1970s.
Secondly, they create activity and traffic, both of which benefit other business enterprises.
Many Saturday afternoons in the summertime, you could drive a Sherman tank through downtown Portland and not get noticed.
Our guess is, once growers start seeing produce sold, that will change.
Don't go looking for overnight success. That's not the way these things work.
But, with patience, perseverance, and a bit of promotion, this is a market that could flourish. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]
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