Lenoir County Farmer’s Market Revitalization

Community Based Food Systems

Lenoir County Farmers Market Revitalization

Project Goals• Establish the Lenoir County Farmer’s

Market as a “destination” place to be• Create opportunities for farmers to

sell direct to consumers in cities or neighborhoods where access to fresh, local produce is limited.

• Recruit local food producers to serve on the Farmer’s Market Advisory

Board

Lenoir County Farmers Market Revitalization

Project Goals• Develop stronger farm and

community connections in order to better meet the demand for local

produce. • Make Farmer’s Market improvements

and upgrades to facility , structurally and aesthetically

• Procure a seasonal part time Market Manager

• Revitalize Farmer’s Market Rules and

Lenoir County Farmer’s Market Revitalization

Project PartnersLeaders Tammy Kelly, Lenoir County Extension DirectorMark Seitz, Area Agent Commercial Horticulture and Marketing, NC

Cooperative ExtensionPat Jenkins, Lenoir County Farmer’s Market Manager Community PartnersWalter Adams, NC A&T State University Agriculture TechnicianBen Knight & Vivian Howard – co-owners The Chef & The Farmer RestaurantAdrian King – Pride of Kinston Downtown Economic Development

ChairpersonLaura Lee Sylvester – Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce, PresidentLucy Marsten – Lenoir County Tourism DirectorSteve Putnam – Putnam Family Farms, Kinston, NCWarren Brothers – Brothers Farms, LaGrange, NCLinda Brandt – Lenoir Memorial Hospital

“What’s Cooking at the Farmer’s Market?”

Project Results•The Lenoir County Farmer’s Market enjoyed four-fold growth in its 30-week 2010 season•The Community-Based Food System Team, focused on looking for ways to support the NC 10% Buy Local Foods Initiative, and,•Helped to establish a Farmer’s Market Advisory Committee of key community leaders to set new policies for the Market, thus prompting area food producers to participate in the Market.

“What’s Cooking at the Farmer’s Market?”

Project Results•A Pride of Kinston Façade Grant matched by Lenoir County provided basic landscaping and repairs. •The resulting increase from 4 to 15 vendors prompted County government to contract a 16 hours/week Market manager to manage site operations, monitor members, and recruit new vendors•Two series of Cooking Demonstrations added to the Market customer base while teaching the public to cook and eat healthy and purchase from the Lenoir County Farmer’s Market •The increased activity made obvious the need for major renovations; the parking lot’s condition deterred some potential customers and is a liability for vendors. The vendors, meeting with Market management, have expressed their appreciation for the new Market management, and asked unanimously for an additional market day.

Lenoir County Farmer’s Market Revitalization “What’s Cooking at the Farmer’s Market?”

Demo #1--Bill Tsao stir fried everything at the market! Allowed the children to pick out “mystery vegetables” to cook and taste!

“What’s Cooking at the Farmer’s Market?”

Lessons Learned•Fostering community relationships is critical, especially within the general area•As the Farmer’s Market customer and vendor numbers increase so do the needs of the Market•Marketing the market is essential! Providing community activities that create additional audiences is a great way to increase customer base.•Support of County Government will be a great asset.