As the Excelsior Springs Farmers Market enters the latter half of its season, there’s a deserved sense of accomplishment in the air. This year’s market has been a resounding success, drawing in crowds from across the community to enjoy fresh produce, local crafts, and a vibrant atmosphere. But behind the scenes, there’s an incredible amount of work that goes into making each market day run smoothly. It’s a year-round effort that involves meticulous planning, relentless dedication, and a true passion for supporting local vendors and the community.
Year-Round Vendor Recruitment
One of the most critical tasks for the Farmers Market committee is vendor recruitment. This process is not limited to a few months of the year; it’s an ongoing effort. Committee members work tirelessly to ensure a diverse mix of vendors, offering everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to handcrafted goods and specialty foods. This continuous recruitment helps keep the market fresh and exciting.
Food Truck Coordination
Adding to the market’s appeal are the popular food trucks that set up shop each week. Coordinating their attendance is no small feat. Ensuring a variety of options that cater to all tastes requires advance scheduling and constant communication with the food truck owners. This ensures that market-goers always have something delicious to look forward to. Nonnie’s Shaved Ice has been dedicated to being at the evening market every night of the season.
Securing Market Sponsorships
Behind every successful market is a network of supportive sponsors. The Farmers Market committee works year-round to secure monetary support, donations for weekly giveaways, and raffle prizes. These sponsors are crucial in keeping the market running and allowing for special events and activities. Their contributions help cover the costs of entertainment, promotional materials, and even the essentials that keep the market operational week after week.
Organizing Events and Activities
One of the hallmarks of the Excelsior Springs Farmers Market is its dynamic schedule of events and activities. From bounce houses and kids’ activity nights to cooking demonstrations and donation drives for local agencies, these events add a layer of excitement and community engagement to the market. Organizing these events requires careful planning, coordination with vendors, and sometimes even bringing in outside partners to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Grant Writing for Market Support
Another vital component of the market’s success is grant writing. This behind-the-scenes work is essential for securing the funds needed to support market expenses, from promotional activities to infrastructure improvements. The committee dedicates countless hours to researching, writing, and submitting grants, all with the goal of enhancing the market experience for vendors and visitors.
Designing the Market Layout
The layout of the market is another ongoing task that requires thoughtful consideration. Each week, the committee carefully plans where vendors will set up, ensuring a flow that is both convenient and inviting for visitors. This might seem like a minor detail, but a well-organized market layout can make a huge difference in the overall experience.
Navigating Government Paperwork
Operating a market isn’t just about organizing vendors and events; there’s also a significant amount of government paperwork involved. From the paperwork required to offer benefits like SNAP and WIC, to ensuring compliance with local regulations, the committee’s work behind the scenes keeps the market accessible to all members of the community.
Promoting the Market in the Community
Promoting the Farmers Market is an ongoing effort that extends far beyond market day. Committee members attend various community events to raise awareness about the market, handing out flyers, talking to residents, and encouraging new visitors to stop by. This grassroots promotion is vital in keeping the market top-of-mind for locals and drawing in new faces each week.
Advocating for Small Businesses
The Farmers Market committee also serves as an advocate for small businesses, particularly in navigating health department regulations. Working closely with the Clay County Health Department, the committee ensures that vendors comply with the necessary regulations while also advocating for fair and reasonable policies that support small businesses.
Building Connections with Other Markets
Networking with other local markets is another key aspect of the committee’s work. By connecting and communicating with other markets, the committee can share best practices, collaborate on events, and create a stronger network of local vendors and customers.
Managing Social Media
In today’s digital age, social media is a crucial tool for promoting the market and keeping the community informed. Market Director Tammy Murphy handles all aspects of social media management, from posting about upcoming events to engaging with followers and responding to inquiries. It’s a constant effort to keep the market’s online presence active and engaging.
Market Day Operations
On market day, the work continues. Committee members arrive early to help vendors set up, process SNAP and credit card transactions, answer questions from visitors, and distribute weekly giveaway tickets. Their presence is vital in ensuring that everything runs smoothly and that both vendors and visitors have a positive experience.
Meet the Team Behind the Market
The success of the Excelsior Springs Farmers Market wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated efforts of its committee members. This year’s team includes Abi Douglas, Kristen DeHart, Janet James Wesley, Mike Edwards, Lindsay Hall, Jason Cole, Bill Westerheide, Monica Miller, Melinda Mehaffy, Brian Rice, Brenda Kilgore, and Rebecca Broadbent. Each member brings unique skills and passion to the table, contributing to the market’s growth and success.
Looking Ahead
As the season continues, the committee remains focused on delivering a high-quality market experience for the community. With just a few weeks left before the market wraps up in October, there’s still plenty of excitement to come. The committee is already looking ahead to next year, with plans to build on this season’s success and continue to grow the market for years to come.
In the meantime, the Excelsior Springs Farmers Market continues to be a shining example of community spirit, hard work, and the power of local collaboration. Whether you’re a vendor, a sponsor, or a loyal visitor, your support is what makes this market thrive.
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