Our Location
Richland Area Farmers' Market
Wednesdays
Hours: 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Location: Phoenix Center Parking Lot
100 S. Orange Street
TENTATIVE 2021 Season: MAY 12 - OCTOBER 13
Hours: 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Location: Phoenix Center Parking Lot
100 S. Orange Street
TENTATIVE 2021 Season: MAY 12 - OCTOBER 13
WHAT ABOUT THE SATURDAY MARKET?
Many Richland Area Farmers’ Market customers, past and present, have asked this question. There was no Saturday Market during 2020, because of the Covid pandemic. But now that the pandemic appears to be somewhat under control, why not open up on Saturdays again?
Here is what would need to happen for us to have a Saturday Market again.
1. For starters, there would need to be someone to manage and coordinate the market.
In the past, one or two people volunteered to serve as the Saturday market manager, with others (also volunteers) serving as assistant manager, treasurer, advertising coordinator, various committee members, secretary, public relations liaison, etc.
All of these positions are currently “vacant.”
2. There would need to be vendors.
Most, if not all, of the vendors who currently work at the Wednesday Market have other commitments on Saturdays. Most of the vendors who were here (pre-pandemic) on Saturdays are no longer here (see number 3).
3. There would need to be committed produce vendors.
For those who remember the 2019 Market Season, we struggled to find produce vendors who were willing and able to commit to every or nearly every Saturday of the summer. Some of the produce vendors you may remember from past summers are no longer available due to family commitments or health concerns. Others have moved away from the area, or have taken other employment. Others have retired. And still others are simply no longer willing to dedicate every Saturday of the summer to the market. All of this is completely understandable, of course. But it does represent a challenge for whoever might want to manage the market, since we have always been a vendor-run market.
Yes, we have wonderful memories of past Saturday Markets. You really can’t beat the beauty of a fresh summer morning around the courthouse in Richland Center. We remember relaxing conversations, delicious foods of all kinds, children playing on the courthouse lawn, arts and crafts. We remember laughing when the weather was awful and being grateful when it wasn’t. It would be terrific to see a Saturday Market in Richland Center again.
If you know of people who are interested in coming together to once again plan and consistently coordinate a Saturday market, please let us know. There’s a lot to be done; the sooner people start, the better!
………..
Many Richland Area Farmers’ Market customers, past and present, have asked this question. There was no Saturday Market during 2020, because of the Covid pandemic. But now that the pandemic appears to be somewhat under control, why not open up on Saturdays again?
Here is what would need to happen for us to have a Saturday Market again.
1. For starters, there would need to be someone to manage and coordinate the market.
In the past, one or two people volunteered to serve as the Saturday market manager, with others (also volunteers) serving as assistant manager, treasurer, advertising coordinator, various committee members, secretary, public relations liaison, etc.
All of these positions are currently “vacant.”
2. There would need to be vendors.
Most, if not all, of the vendors who currently work at the Wednesday Market have other commitments on Saturdays. Most of the vendors who were here (pre-pandemic) on Saturdays are no longer here (see number 3).
3. There would need to be committed produce vendors.
For those who remember the 2019 Market Season, we struggled to find produce vendors who were willing and able to commit to every or nearly every Saturday of the summer. Some of the produce vendors you may remember from past summers are no longer available due to family commitments or health concerns. Others have moved away from the area, or have taken other employment. Others have retired. And still others are simply no longer willing to dedicate every Saturday of the summer to the market. All of this is completely understandable, of course. But it does represent a challenge for whoever might want to manage the market, since we have always been a vendor-run market.
Yes, we have wonderful memories of past Saturday Markets. You really can’t beat the beauty of a fresh summer morning around the courthouse in Richland Center. We remember relaxing conversations, delicious foods of all kinds, children playing on the courthouse lawn, arts and crafts. We remember laughing when the weather was awful and being grateful when it wasn’t. It would be terrific to see a Saturday Market in Richland Center again.
If you know of people who are interested in coming together to once again plan and consistently coordinate a Saturday market, please let us know. There’s a lot to be done; the sooner people start, the better!
………..