When I first started as GardenShare’s Farmers Market Manager, I was initially surprised it could be a full-time job, but after just one season, I can certainly say that there is a lot more that goes into running a market than one might realize! Prior to 2022 each farmers market in St. Lawrence County was managed independently from one another, but in 2022 GardenShare took on a new role that provided shared management services to the Canton, Gouverneur and Potsdam markets. I was excited to take on the challenge of developing the new program!
GardenShare provided direct management and advisory support, which created stability between a complex network of vendors, nonprofits and community partners. In addition to the dozens of vendors, there’s a lot of behind the scenes planning and collaboration involved with each market, including advisory boards, property owners, and voting market memberships.
St. Lawrence County is rich with extensive resources, and at the markets you can find an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables along with local goods and crafts, with something new to discover every month. Partnerships also contributed to the success and diversity week to week, which enhanced the customer’s experience and created a community destination for different types of shoppers. Whether it was an activity for the kiddos, a free fitness class, or musical entertainment, there were extra events to enjoy throughout the season. It was very rewarding to see members of the community explore the market for their first time, and watch vendors expand their operations as the markets grew and evolved each month. There was certainly a buzz surrounding the Gouverneur Farmers Market, as customer traffic more than tripled from June to September. Vendors quickly adjusted to keep up with the higher demand and increased the quantity of products they brought in for sale.
Between the three markets, there were 57 vendors and 33 nonprofits that showcased their items and services this year, with 13 vendors testing out other markets for their first time. Vendors who participated in more than one market, as a guest or applying for full-membership, expressed that having one contact was easier for their onboarding process, and communication was more efficient for their business practices.
Farmers markets also have a lot of paperwork required through state programs, licensing and permitting and payment systems through GardenShares’ farmers market token program. With having a single contact, vendors didn’t have to resubmit redundant documents and only needed to review market specific items like rules and regulations, applications and fees. I was pleasantly surprised to receive interest from new vendors all the way through the end of market season in October, many of which are planning on applying in the spring. A few smaller vendors noted that they grow or craft their own products as a hobby and are looking for outlets to be more engaged with the community. They found that the markets were a great place to be involved within a positive, collaborative environment. It’s a great feeling to help small businesses get their product out there, start a new venture, and see their enthusiasm about joining the market culture.
Seasoned vendors found that the market has been a stepping stone for their business goals, a place to test their product and become established within the community. A few vendors have already expanded into shops including Nature’s Storehouse, The TAUNY Center, Potsdam Food Co-op, and Martin’s Farmstand, and others are on their way to opening their very own brick and mortar! Either way, our vendors are looking for a place to sell where they can connect and educate their customers.
Throughout the season, product availability is different between growers and varies from market to market. It was helpful to be onsite to engage with vendors and customers directly to proactively provide information for other markets as needed. For instance, if a product was out in Canton on Friday, I was able to promote the Potsdam Market on Saturday, where I knew what products were expected to be available for purchase.
Many shoppers didn’t even know there was a weekend market that better fit their busy work week schedule and found it beneficial to have more time to shop around. It was also humbling to hear from a number of North Country residents who expressed looking forward to attending each week, because they never knew who they would run into, and markets are an accessible way to socialize and meet one’s neighbors.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working towards a streamlined Farmer’s Market program by fulfilling this new role created for the county. Now that the markets have concluded for the year, I’ll be busy strategizing how to enhance each market throughout the winter season. Lots of pre-planning and coordination will take place over these next few months and market vendor applications will be available in the spring. If you are interested in obtaining information about participating in the Canton, Gouverneur or Potsdam Farmers Market, please reach out, I’d love to hear from you!
Email: kathryn@gardenshare.org
Office Phone: (315) 261-8054
Visit website and Local Food Guide (www.GardenShare.org)
Bio:
Kathryn Puleo, a Lisbon NY native, and has been employed with GardenShare since the beginning of the summer as their Farmers Market Manager for the Canton, Gouverneur and Potsdam Markets. She is passionate about community engagement, small businesses, and building a cultivating atmosphere for farmers markets throughout St. Lawrence County. Growing up as a 4-H kid, she is happy to be back in her roots, supporting agriculture, the backbone of sustainability within our resourceful county.
