Farmer's Market Booming: Considering Another Expansion

[thelakelander]

Too bad we didn't have the will and vision to get it closer to downtown....

Harvesting business: Farmers markets a growing trend

Jacksonville Business Journal - by Christian Conte Staff Writer

NORTHEAST FLORIDA -- Business is booming at the Jacksonville Farmers Market, according to General Manager Jose Martinez.

So much so, in fact, that the company has already filled out the space it recently expanded into with 80 vendors and is considering acquiring more land for further expansion and the development of a restaurant that would serve the fresh ingredients sold at the market.

The farmers market on Beaver Street has been in virtually the same location for three-quarters of a century, but other area farmers markets that haven't been around as long are also expanding hours and locations. New markets are sprouting up as interest grows in food that is locally grown and, in many cases, less expensive than that sold in traditional grocery stores.

Beaches native Gretchen Ferrell helped spearhead the Beaches Green Market in November 2007. It started in the parking lot of Twisted Sisters restaurant in Jacksonville Beach, but quickly ran out of space and relocated its 15 vendors to Jarboe Park in Neptune Beach.

Ferrell, who also sells herbs from her home garden, said the growing popularity of farmers markets is likely due in part to rising fuel and food prices, along with nutritional and environmental concerns and a growing desire by consumers to know where their food was grown.

Along with the Beaches farmers market, the Fernandina Farmers Market is also new and the Flagler Beach Farmers Market recently extended its hours from Friday mornings only to Friday and Saturday mornings. There is an effort, led in part by steering committee members of the St. Johns Riverkeeper, Executive Director Jimmy Orth and U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw's wife, Kitty, to start another farmers market in the Riverside area this fall.

Orth said that while farmers markets might be trendy now, as food prices continue to rise, they will likely become a necessity.

"You're going to start seeing more of this," he said.

The problem is that there are not enough local farm vendors, Orth said, so the markets have to be careful not to all schedule the same days of the week.

"This highlights the challenge," Orth said. "There's a growing interest in local agriculture, but you need more farmers to meet the demand."

The Riverside market organizers are considering a midweek evening market or possibly combining forces with another effort to organize a farmers market at the base of the Fuller Warren Bridge.

To expand the short supply of local vendors, the University of Florida Extension Service office in Duval County offered a class in January called Growing Growers. The class taught large landowners how to diversify their holdings by growing crops. Based on continued interest, extension agent Brad Burbaugh intends to offer the class again in the fall.

"It's good for small farmers; it's good for small businesses," Burbaugh said.

Kitty Crenshaw is excited about the growing momentum of farmers markets.

"They are all about taking the time to enjoy life with family and friends around really fresh, delicious, affordable food in a festive atmosphere while getting to know our neighbors, encouraging our local farmers and dramatically conserving fuel and our environment," Crenshaw wrote in an e-mailed response. "Farmers markets are a win-win for all."

http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2008/07/14/story3.html

[Jason]

Nice.  It would've been great to have them closer to the core.  With the extra visibility they very likely would be considering a much larger expansion.

I know you've mentioned transit as a necessary connector, but how else can the gap between the market and DT be bridged?

[thelakelander]

Short term - JTA's trolly should add the market as a stop.  The thing already runs down Myrtle.  It would not hurt to extend the loop a few blocks west.

Long term - Rail on the S-Line.  That old warehouse district needs a boost.  Rail running through there would do just that by connecting it with other areas of town, both passenger wise and freight.  Doing such, makes those old buildings much more attractive for reinvestment for lofts, commercial and industrial uses.  Without an incentive, such as rail, serving that district, I don't see much happening there.

[thelakelander]

Give her a call and throw a feeler out there.

[thelakelander]

Maybe something at the Landing would team up with the Beaver Street market?  Instead of them expanding there, perhaps they can expand with a second location?

[thelakelander]

Even a locally grown/organic market would work better at the Landing than in Riverside on any given day.  However, the people in the Landing aren't in the farmer's market business, so I think a successful endeavor would have to be some sort of partnership with an educated group.

[Jason]

Wouldn't the Landing charge a LOT more to lease or rent space?

[thelakelander]

A market at the Landing would most likely need to be something that's nothing more than booths and carts set up along the exterior sidewalks.  This would eliminate the need for leasing "built" retail spaces.  On the other hand, the additional customers along the front would make the vacant spots in the Landing more attractive to additional retail and dining operations.

[tufsu1]

one of the main tenets of the Rouse Festival Marketplaces was the # of local shops...often this was accomplished through carts as well as a market section.

A portion of the Light Street pavilion at Baltimore's Harborplace has been a successful market since the complex opened in 1981...and that's with the famous Lexington Market less than 10 blocks away.

That said, its not really set up as a farmers market....more like a bazaar

[thelakelander]

What happened to the Landing's bazaar?

[civil42806]

why in the world would you think a fresh market would work at the landing?  The landing supports the lunch crowd and restaraunts.  Neither clientel would be big on going to a farmers market?

[thelakelander]

The few tourist this city has, normally end up at the Landing, sooner or later.  A market would also appeal to downtown workers and residents.  Imo, a market would also offer more than fresh fruit and vegetables.

[tufsu1]

In all the neighborhoods of the historic core, San Marco, St. Nicholas, Riverside, Five Points, Avondale Springfield and the southbank, there isnt a single source of quality seafood.

not sure it would meet your standards for quality, but the newly renovated Winn Dixie store has a pretty decent seafood area....check it out!

[Ocklawaha]

I've got it! How about an open air, roaming TROLLEY MARKET car? Cool...

Well... Maybe not.

DING! DING! ME WANT TROLLEY!

OCKLAWAHA