Farmers Market has enticing plans for this season

By Joel Howard
As a harbinger of warmer months, the Norfolk Farmers Market is busy with plans for the new season. On tap for this year are more vendors, a new Friends of the Market program, and increased expenditures on marketing.
The market committee begins planning the new season in earnest during the winter months. Using the previous year’s polling of both vendors and customers, issues ranging from market dates to vendor mix are addressed.
One outcome of this process is a slight shift in the market’s season. While the Saturday hours will remain as before, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the season kicks off on Memorial Day weekend, one week earlier than last year. The season finale is to be held two weeks earlier than before, ending on Columbus Day weekend. December’s Holiday Extravaganza was such a rousing success that plans include not only extended hours this year but also the addition of more space to better accommodate both vendors and patrons.
A focused outreach to prospective vendors is already finding success, with several prospects showing interest in joining. Market Master Lisa Auclair is brimming with enthusiasm for the 22 markets. “It’s going to be an exciting season for everyone. Already we have new vendors lining up to join our current farmers and artisans. I’ve also been attending numerous seminars focused on everything from market management to special events.”
According to Market Committee Chair Sue Frisch, the “friends” program promises to involve more people in the market. “We’re modeling our Friends of the Market after successful programs at other markets. For a small fee or a few hours of volunteer time, members will receive weekly discounts from participating vendors. The vendor response so far has been very enthusiastic.”
More advertising funds will be available this year, thanks to the market having recently been chosen as one of 14 grant recipients by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, out of 71 applicants. One of the benefits of the grant is that the Connecticut Joint Venture program will add the “Connecticut Grown” logo to marketing materials as well as provide funding for increased promotion for the year. This will include more focused advertising efforts to residents of Norfolk and neighboring communities.
The Department of Agriculture’s Web site states that “the grant provides for matching funds to producers and agricultural associations to promote Connecticut agricultural products through the use of the Connecticut Grown logo.” It also reports that “the purpose of the Joint Venture Program is to help markets and create demand for Connecticut agricultural products through the use of the Connecticut Grown logo or slogan.’
A weekly e-newsletter is set to launch in May, using grant funds to design a template and defray expenses incurred from e-mail management and maintenance. Once registered, e-newsletter customers will receive a weekly update on expected vendors, available crops, musical performers and even recipes geared to available produce. This will also direct people to the market’s Web site, where even more information is always available to the public.
This summer promises an expanded market in many ways, enticing not only more Norfolk residents but also visitors and neighbors from around the northwest corner and southern Massachusetts.