Mara Wack Mara Wack

Sending off two venerable vendors: Havlicek’s Orchard and Walsh Ridge Farm

Denny and Lynn Havlicek, owners of Havlicek’s Veseli Vsek Orchard, are scaling back in the 2024 season. The Havlicek family sold apples, pears, grapes, and honey at several local markets, including Midtown, Minneapolis Lyndale, and Neighborhood Roots’ own Nokomis, Fulton, and Kingfield Farmers Markets. 

They began planting out their orchard in 1984, and grew over the years to supply market customers, as well as offering pick your own on weekends. The Havliceks have been part of the Neighborhood Roots community since 2002, when Denny started selling at the Kingfield Farmers Market. Denny says Kingfield was one of his best markets and he’ll miss the wonderful communities at each market. 

After 20+ years, the Havliceks want to enjoy their time closer to home. Denny and Lynn plan to continue selling pick your own and pre-picked apples from their orchard in Webster, MN. For updates, follow them on Facebook or visit their website.

Farmer Dan has also decided to hang up his apron this year. Walsh Ridge Farm has been a cornerstone vendor at Neighborhood Roots markets since 2007. The Walsh family sold honey, maple syrup, produce, canned goods, and eggs at the Fulton and Kingfield Farmers Markets.

Dan has been a central figure in the Fulton and Kingfield communities; staunchly supporting the markets throughout the years and serving a term as board treasurer. He says he’ll continue to support and can’t wait to just be a shopper!

Dan Walsh and Walsh Ridge Farm will be ending a long tenure at this Saturday’s Winter Market (March 9, 10 am - 1 pm at Bachman’s on Lyndale). Come buy some maple syrup and wish Dan and his family well! Walsh Ridge also offers online ordering.

Walsh Ridge Farm’s slogan is “So we had a little dream…”. We at Neighborhood Roots feel honored to have been part of that dream, and so many other vendors’ dreams and stories.

Supporting local farmers and small businesses is an integral part of Neighborhood Roots’ mission. The markets serve as incubation spaces for new entrepreneurs and connect local businesses to customers. Shop at the markets, get to know your farmer, and if you’d like to contribute on a deeper level, donations and volunteers help make the markets possible. 

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Mara Wack Mara Wack

Round up in March and Support our nourishing neighbors program

🌱 Nourishing Neighbors: Fighting Food Insecurity & Waste 🌱

Nourishing Neighbors is a vital initiative dedicated to tackling food insecurity and reducing food waste in our community. Through this program, we strive to fairly compensate local farmers for unsold produce at markets, redirecting these nutritious resources to local food shelves where they can benefit individuals and families in need. By bridging the gap between surplus produce and those facing hunger, Nourishing Neighbors ensures access to fresh, healthy food while also supporting our local agricultural community and promoting sustainability.

Wedge Round-Up Recipients for March! We're thrilled to announce that we've been selected as Wedge Round-Up recipients for the month of March. When you round up your bill at participating locations, the proceeds go directly to supporting the Nourishing Neighbors program. Every contribution helps us feed more families in need and combat food waste in our community.

How You Can Help: You can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors by contributing to the Nourishing Neighbors program. Your donations enable us to continue our efforts in combating food insecurity and reducing food waste. DONATE TODAY and support this program. The more funds we raise, the more produce we can purchase from farmers, ultimately allowing us to feed more families in need.

Partner Spotlight: Twin Cities Food Justice We are proud to partner with Twin Cities Food Justice, an organization dedicated to addressing food justice issues in our community. Together, we work tirelessly to ensure that excess produce from local markets doesn't go to waste but instead directly benefits individuals and families facing food insecurity. Learn more about Twin Cities Food Justice and how you can get involved by visiting their website.

  • Interested in volunteering with Twin Cities Food Justice? You can sign up to volunteer on their website.

Thank you for your support and commitment to nourishing our neighbors. Together, we can make a positive impact and build a more inclusive and sustainable future for everyone. 🌟

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Mara Wack Mara Wack

The Continued Success of Markets DEPENDS on Customers LIke you

Dear market shoppers and supporters:

We trust this message finds you well. At Neighborhood Roots, our mission is to foster a thriving community built on the foundation of local food. Your ongoing support has played a pivotal role in the success of our farmers markets in the Nokomis, Fulton, and Kingfield neighborhoods. Today, we come to you with a heartfelt request: Would you consider making a generous donation to support our mission and help us continue our community-building efforts?

Neighborhood Roots operates on a shoestring budget considering the extensive reach and impact we have. We host a total of 68 unique markets annually. In the summer season, we host markets three days a week, in three different locations. In the off-season, we host monthly Winter Markets. All of this is accomplished on an annual budget of just $115,000, yet our markets generate over $2 million annually in financial transactions. Operating at this frequency and quality requires not only hard work but also specialized skills that volunteers alone cannot provide.

Our dedicated team plays a crucial role in the success of our markets. Our full-time market manager (Erica), along with a part-time seasonal assistant (Nisa), work tirelessly all summer to support vendors and create a welcoming community event. Behind the scenes, our part-time Development Manager (Mara) handles fundraising, sponsorship, marketing, and partnerships, ensuring the sustainability of our markets.

Why Business Sponsorships Aren't Enough:
We operate as a 501c4 nonprofit due to our primary focus on agricultural commerce, which means that many large businesses and foundations cannot include us in their charitable giving programs. Additionally, a challenging economy has put some expected sponsorships at risk. Individual donations from customers like you are essential to help us bridge this funding gap.

Sustaining Our Commitment to Vendors:
You might wonder why vendor stall fees alone cannot cover operating costs. It's because we are deeply committed to our farmers and vendors, and significantly increasing stall fees would limit the accessibility of our markets to many beloved vendors. Vendor stall fees contribute to only about 55% of our operating expenses. 
 
Your Contribution Matters:

Your support has always been invaluable, and now, more than ever, we are counting on you. Our goal is to close our funding gap by raising $10,000 in individual donations by October 31st. To donate, please visit www.neighborhoodroots.org/donate. You can make a one-time contribution or choose to give recurring contributions, providing us with stable, year-round funding.

Your donation is an investment in our efforts to:

  • Provide sustainable marketplaces for over 120 local farmers, food makers, and artisans.

  • Create a resilient food system by enabling direct connections between shoppers, farmers, makers, and artisans.

  • Strengthen the buying power of shoppers using EBT by matching their first $10 with an additional $20 to spend at the market.

  • Retain staff and pay them an appropriate wage. 

We hope you'll continue to support our markets, not just as a customer but as a recurring contributor. We hope you recognize the importance of the Fulton, Kingfield, and Nokomis markets, our dedicated vendors, and our hardworking staff.

Warm regards,

Neighborhood Roots Board and Staff

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Mara Wack Mara Wack

Deliciously Healthy and local: Unveiling our Featured recipes Campaign with its a veg world after all!

Meet Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD

Discover a world of enticing and nutritious recipes as we invite you to join us on a culinary adventure. Our amazing board member, Lizzie Streit, a registered dietitian and the creative force behind It's a Veg World After All, will showcase her culinary expertise and passion for vegetables. With Lizzie's guidance, you'll explore the incredible flavors that can be achieved using fresh produce sourced directly from our local farmers market.

Visit the It’s a Veg World After All website and embark on a journey to prepare tantalizing and nutritious meals that will leave you wanting more. Get ready to savor the goodness of farm-fresh ingredients and elevate your cooking to new heights.

We believe in the power of fresh ingredients to transform your culinary creations. That's why we invite you to join us in celebrating the art of cooking with the bountiful produce found at our local farmers market. Explore the possibilities and let the vibrant flavors of seasonal ingredients inspire your cooking.

Whether you're an experienced chef or a novice in the kitchen, her recipes will guide you on a delicious and wholesome adventure. From simple and satisfying meals to creative vegetable-centric dishes, her collection offers something for everyone. Rediscover the joy of cooking with ingredients that are not only good for your health but feature produce you will see at your local farmers markets!

Let's unlock the flavors of our local farmers market and create memorable meals that nourish both body and soul. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will redefine the way you experience food. Start cooking and savor the goodness today!

LET’S Start it off with Strawberry Rhubarb Baked Oatmeal Muffins!

Indulge in the morning with a delightful treat: Strawberry Rhubarb Baked Oatmeal Muffins! These irresistible muffins are carefully crafted using locally-grown strawberries and tangy rhubarb straight from the farmers market. Whether you're seeking a quick breakfast option or a satisfying midday snack, these muffins are sure to please. Don't miss out on the chance to experience the perfect blend of strawberry rhubarb!

Find the Recipe Here: Strawberry Rhubarb Baked Oatmeal Muffins!

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Mara Wack Mara Wack

Fulton And Kingfield open May 20 and 21!

Fulton and Kingfield Farmers Markets open Saturday May 20 and Sunday May 21.

We’re so excited to launch the 2023 market season this weekend! The weather is looking perfect for a day at the market, so stop by and stock up on spring produce, pantry staples, treats, locally grown plant starts, and more!

All your favorite vendors are back for another great season, plus many new (or new to us) vendors are making their market debut. Join us in welcoming:

At Kingfield, May 20:

  • Pure Ginger for You - cold pressed ginger juice blends

  • Vescent Soap - handmade vegan soap and body care with an emphasis on minimal waste

At Fulton, May 21:

  • Biscuit Cowboy - classic breakfast sandwiches on made from scratch buttermilk biscuits

  • egoclectionByKristen: creative flavor combinations featured in condiments and baked goods

  • Fruitee ‘n the Cake: lovely and fluffy cakes with fresh fruit and whipped cream icing

  • Hummingbird Artisan Foods: inventive flavors of jam and glazes for sweet and savory applications

  • Menoush Bakery: classic Middle Eastern bakes like baklava, kunafa, and more

  • Minneapolis Mehndi and Henna: gorgeous henna tattoos

  • Sola’s Butters: thoughtfully made skin and hair care products

  • BUNKA Tea Co.: refreshing East African tea brewed hot or iced

  • Thistle Creek Farm: farm-fresh honey

  • Thomasina’s Cashew Brittle: lovely cashew brittle and other sweet treats

  • Two Rivers Bread: rotating varieties of homemade bread

Fulton Farmers Market - 4901 Chowen Ave S, in the parking lot of Lake Harriet Untied Methodist Church. Open Saturdays 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Kingfield Farmers Market - 4055 Nicollet, in the South parking lot of Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. Open Sundays 8:30 am - 1 pm

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Mara Wack Mara Wack

March 11 Winter market

Join us for one more winter market at Bachman’s on Lyndale on Saturday March 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Your favorite vendors from Fulton, Kingfield and Nokomis farmers markets are bringing in winter produce, meats, cheese, and eggs, along with ready to eat treats, packaged foods, canned goods and handmade crafts.

 Join us for one more winter market at Bachman’s on Lyndale on Saturday March 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Your favorite vendors from Fulton, Kingfield and Nokomis farmers markets are bringing in winter produce, meats, cheese, and eggs, along with ready to eat treats, packaged foods, canned goods and handmade crafts. Scroll down for the full vendor roster.

We’re celebrating local honey and pollinators with a honey sampling, featuring honey from four different farms: Davidson’s Farm, Havlicek’s Orchard, Minnesota Food Forest, and Walsh Ridge Farm. “Sweet Nature” authors Beth Dooley and Mette Nielsen will be signing books from 10 a.m. to noon. Neighborhood Roots board member, dietician, and cookbook author Lizzie Streit will be demoing and sampling a recipe featuring honey from noon to 2 p.m. For information on how to care for pollinators in your yard, stop by the Hennepin County Master Gardeners’ table.

Turnip Rock Farm, Dancing the Land Farm, and Peter’s Pumpkins are bringing the last of their storage crops - radishes, turnips, onions and garlic. For fresh produce, grab mushrooms from R&R Cultivation and microgreens from Yum Microgreens.

Round out your shopping with grass-fed beef and pasture-raised pork from Johnson Family Pastures and Dancing the Land Farm, poultry and eggs from Heart and Soil Ridge, and wild-caught salmon from Wild Run Salmon. Local cheesemakers Cosmic Wheel Creamery and LoveTree Farmstead Cheese have fresh and aged cheese options.

To satisfy your sweet tooth, check out Cakejam, Sweet T’s, Eat Me Bakery, Fruit and Grain, and Groveland Confections. For lunch, try an empanada from Atacama Catering, pakora from Krishna’s Delight, and eggrolls from Rainbow Chinese Restaurant.

Expect to see lots of local artisans too. From skincare to knit socks to journals, there’s so much to explore and enjoy.

Town Hall Brewery will be pouring beer, and all proceeds go to the markets. Non-alcoholic options include Town Hall’s house-made root beer, kombucha from WOW Kombucha, and Cafe Palmira coffee available at the info booth.

Market days are fun for the whole family. Lake Harriet UM Preschool will be providing kid’ activities. Local favorite Todd n’ Tina will be playing family-friendly jams from 10 a.m. to noon, then jazz trio The Pocket will be playing until market close at 2 p.m. 

Vendor Lineup

Atacama Catering - Empanadas, cookies, and cakes

Autumn Carolynn Photography - photographs and greeting cards

Blugirl Soapworks - Handmade soap

Cafe Palmira - Guatemalan coffee pounds

Cakejam - homemade bread

Cosmic Wheel Creamery / Turnip Rock Farm - produce and cheese

Crankosaurus Press - screen printed towels, t-shirts, cards

Dancing the Land Farm - pork, goat, eggs, yarn, sheep and goat skins, and garlic

Davidson's Farm - honey, canned goods, dried beans

DBL Creations - journals, cards, bags and more

Eat Me Bakery - mini bundt cakes, sandwich cookies, cardamom buns, chocolate cinnamon buns

For They Skincare & Wellness - room/linen sprays, skincare, candles, lip balm, and bath salts

Fruit & Grain - pop tarts and hand pies

GoGo Glam Household Goods - Aprons, tablecloths, placemats, napkins, and hot pads

Groveland Confections - gourmet chocolate creations

Havlicek's Orchard - apples and honey

i.e design handmade - purses, wristlets and wallets

Johnson Family Pastures - pasture-raised pork, grass-fed beef

Kiss My Cabbage - fermented veggies and preserved lemons

Krishna's Delight - lassis, pakora, and more

LoveTree Farmstead Cheese - cave-aged cheeses

Minnesota Food Forest - maple syrup, honey, honey comb, fruit leathers, mushroom products, hemp products, jams

MN MAKE - laser cut jewelry

Mr. Fuzz's Fiery Foods - hot sauce

Nokomis Knitting Company - knit socks and decor

Num Nuts - roasted nuts and nut-based granola

Peter's Pumpkins & Carmen's Corn - onions, eggs, canned goods

R&R Cultivation - mushrooms

Rainbow Chinese Restaurant - eggrolls, jasmine iced tea, hibiscus iced tea

Schmickle Co - pickles

Sweet T's Bakery - baked goods

Walsh Ridge Farm - honey, pure maple syrup, jams/jellies, and garlic

Wild Run Salmon - Alaskan salmon

WOW Kombucha - kombucha

Wyrd Sisters - Sterling silver jewelry, hand-painted clothing and accessories

Yum Microgreens - microgreens and pet grass

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Mara Wack Mara Wack

Farmers Markets Don’t Just Happen

“Farmer’s Markets don’t just happen,” was the 2022 National Farmers Market Week campaign slogan. This phrase resonated with farmers markets across the country, including our neighborhood markets in South Minneapolis. 

Neighborhood Roots is a 501(c)(4) non-profit that operates three neighborhood farmers markets in South Minneapolis: Fulton, Kingfield, and Nokomis Farmers Markets. Neighborhood Roots also organizes a series of Winter Markets at the Lyndale Bachman’s greenhouse during the cold winter months. 

As you may know, the Nokomis Farmers Market had to take a break in 2022 due to financial constraints. Community support is allowing us to bring the market back this year. This is exactly why farmers markets need your continued support.   

Each market has its own unique name, location, and vibe, and they're all about bringing people together to buy, eat, and learn about local food. These markets are also a vital source of support for small businesses and local farmers, and promote a vibrant community that thrives on local products.

One of the best things about the markets is our commitment to making fresh and healthy food accessible to everyone. That's why we accept SNAP-EBT and WIC at all our farmers markets and even partner with Hunger Solutions to provide a SNAP incentive that triples your SNAP-EBT dollars. 

If you're on a tight budget or need a little help putting healthy food on the table, you can count on Neighborhood Roots to have your back.

We know that farmers markets are one of the most amazing places to grab fresh, organic, and delicious food and locally produced items such as pottery, jewelry, textiles, soaps, and lotions. But have you ever stopped to think about the behind the scenes effort it takes to run a market, let alone three separate markets?

One of the biggest struggles farmers markets face is operations costs. From rent to utilities, insurance, licenses and permits, marketing, and staffing, the costs add up quickly. And let's be honest: these markets are not run by some big corporation, but rather by hardworking individuals who put their heart and soul into making it happen.

You might be thinking, "Don't vendors pay a stall fee that covers these expenses?" Farmers markets are committed to providing a platform for local farmers and vendors to sell their products at a fair price, which means we don't want to price out the vendors that our customers have grown to love. Raising stall fees significantly above what we currently charge would not be fair to these vendors. We also want to provide a space to incubate small and growing businesses. 

The truth is, vendor stall fees only make up about half of our organization's operating expenses, and the rest needs to be secured through sponsorships, grants, and individual donations. That's why it's essential to support your local farmers market, not only by buying fresh and healthy produce but also by sponsoring, donating or volunteering.

Business sponsorships are a critical part of our ability to keep our farmers markets up and running. 

In the past, we received upwards of $50,000 in business sponsorships annually, which covered a significant portion of our operating expenses. When COVID-19 showed up in 2020, everything changed. 

The economic downturn caused by the pandemic forced many businesses to tighten their belts and make sacrifices, including reducing or ending their sponsorships. As a result, we saw a dramatic decrease in our business sponsorships. 

Our annual sponsorships fell to a total of $6,000.  That's a huge hit for us, and it's made it much harder to keep the Neighborhood Roots markets running. Unfortunately, this reduction in funding has had a ripple effect. It ultimately led to the difficult decision to pause the Nokomis Farmers Market in 2022. It wasn't a decision that we made lightly, but we simply didn't have the resources to keep that market going at the level that our community deserves.

The financial struggles of farmers themselves can also impact farmers markets. Many small-scale farmers struggle to make ends meet, and this can make it difficult for them to participate in farmers markets. As a result, farmers markets may have fewer vendors and a smaller selection of products, which leads to a smaller turnout of customers. Fewer customers in turn lowers vendors’ sales. It’s a true chicken or the egg scenario, no pun intended. 

That's why it's crucial for our community to support local farmers markets. By shopping at farmers markets, we're directly supporting our local farmers and small businesses, who in turn are able to provide us with fresh, healthy, food and locally-sourced products. When we shop at farmers markets, we're working to create a sense of community, and we're helping to build a sustainable local food system.

It’s more important than ever to support your local farmers markets. By doing so, you're not only supporting local farmers and small businesses, but you're also investing in your community. 

Make sure to visit our website and sign up for our newsletters to get information on all market happenings, including ways to support and weekly updates on what you will expect to see at our markets that week. 

Here are ways you can support us to ensure our farmers markets continue to thrive.

Sponsor 

We offer a range of sponsorship levels to meet any budget. Visit our website or email sponsor@neighborhoodrootsmn.org to learn more. 

We are looking for sponsors who align with our mission and values. As a sponsor you can: 

  • Make a positive impact in the world or in our community.

  • Connect your mission with the needs of the communities we serve.

  • Help further our mission. 

  • Provide services or products that don’t compete with our vendor’s products. 

Donate

Community members and market supporters can make an easy and quick donation through the Zeffy platform. Supporters can make a one-time donation or set up a monthly donation. Visit our website to donate today!

Volunteer 

Running our markets takes a village and our small, but mighty staff can only do so much. We need volunteers for each of our markets and have a variety of time-slots to pick from, including set-up or tear-down (canopies, bistro tables and chairs, signs), managing our information booth (welcoming guests, distributing tokens, operating our SNAP-EBT incentive program, selling merch). Volunteer signup will be available in early May through October. 

SHOP! 

Most importantly, shop at our markets and support your local farmers and small businesses!

Our last Winter Market is March 11th from 10am - 2pm at the Lyndale Bachman’s Greenhouse.

The outdoor market season begins late-may. See below for market details: 

Fulton Farmers Market 

49th St & Chowen Ave S

Saturday May 20th - October 28th

8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Kingfield Farmers Market 

4055 Nicollet Ave

Sunday May 21st - October 29th

8:30 am - 1:00 pm 

Nokomis Farmers Market 

5167 Chicago Ave 

Wednesday June 14th - September 27th

4:00 pm - 8:00 pm (3:30 pm - 7:30 pm in September)


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Mara Wack Mara Wack

February 4th Winter Market

Neighborhood Roots is returning to Bachman’s on Lyndale for 2 more cozy winter markets in the greenhouse! These markets are a great way to support your favorite vendors, not to mention a welcome break from chilly weather. Vendors from Fulton, Kingfield, and Nokomis Farmers’ Markets will be offering winter produce, meats, cheese, and eggs, along with breakfast and lunch, packaged foods, canned goods, and handmade crafts. The full vendor roster is available here. In addition to great shopping, we’re excited to offer beer, music, and fun kids’ activities.

We’ll have some amazing gift options for your valentine! Check out Groveland Confections for gourmet chocolate treats and Fruit and Grain and Eat Me Bakery for special Valentine’s Day baked goods. For They Skincare and Wellness will have natural skincare products and candles. Also browse offerings from our talented artisans; look for professional photography from Autumn Carolynn, knitwear from Nokomis Knitting Co., and handmade fabric creations from GoGo Glam, DBL Creations, and i.e. design. And of course, Bachman’s has a great variety of green and blooming plants - a perfect winter pick-me-up.

Keep your grocery dollars local and buy from our farmers and makers. Produce is limited in January, but look for storage crops like squash, onions, potatoes, and garlic from Dancing the Land Farm and Peter’s Pumpkins and Carmen’s Corn. Pick up microgreens and mushrooms from Yum Microgreens and R&R Cultivation. For your fruit fix, stop by Havlicek’s Orchard and Mary Dirty Face Farm. Stock your freezer with pasture-raised pork and grass-fed beef from Johnson Family Pastures and Dancing the Land Farm and wild-caught Alaskan salmon from Wild Run Salmon. 

Grab a loaf of homemade bread from Cakejam Kitchen, along with some local honey and jam from Walsh Ridge and Minnesota Food Forest. Restock the pantry with granola, lacto-fermented veggies, pickles, maple syrup, roasted nuts, and coffee beans. 

While you shop, enjoy a cup of Cafe Palmira coffee available at the Info booth or a beer from Town Hall Brewery. All proceeds from beverage sales go towards Neighborhood Roots markets! Little ones can enjoy activities provided by Lake Harriet UM Preschool. The Transcendental Bluegrass Band and Matt Yetter will be playing music from 10 am to 2 pm.

Join us for the next market on February 4, 2023, 10 am - 2 pm, at Bachman’s, 6010 Lyndale Ave. Mark your calendars for the final winter market of the season on Saturday, March 14, 2023. 

Interested in being a vendor at the Neighborhood Roots Farmers Markets this summer? Applications are open through February 15!


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Mara Wack Mara Wack

2023 Applications are Open!

Vendor applications are now open! We are so excited to head into another season supporting local farmers and makers at our 3 neighborhood farmers markets - Fulton, Nokomis, and Kingfield.

Click here to apply for a market. You'll need to create or log into your Manage My Market profile first. More information and resources for vendors can be found here.

We are always looking for new, innovative and diverse products. BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and other business owners who are underrepresented in food, farming and small business are strongly encouraged to apply. New for 2023, we're excited to offer scholarships to new and returning BIPOC vendors - more information and application can be found here.

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Mara Wack Mara Wack

2022 Recap

Hello friend,  

January is a powerful time to reflect on the year before and set goals and intentions for the year to come. After two challenging years, 2022 was a big year for learning, making new connections, and strengthening existing relationships at Neighborhood Roots. We would like to take a moment to highlight some changes and celebrate successes that happened in 2022!

  • The Neighborhood Roots board made the tough decision to suspend the Nokomis Farmers Market (read more about that decision here) for the 2022 season to focus on fundraising and strategic planning. 

    • The Hale Page Diamond Lake Neighborhood Association and surrounding neighbors stepped up BIG to support two pop-up fundraising markets! These markets were a huge success and raised nearly $4,000! See below for more details about the RETURN of the Nokomis Farmers Market! 

  • We saw some staffing transitions this year, and welcomed new Development and Administrative Manager Mara Wack, Market Manager Erica Lanning, and Kingfield Market Day Staff Beth Bambery. All three hit the ground running supporting our vendors, customers, partners, and volunteers!

  • We had a dedicated group of volunteers who helped set-up/tear-down market tents, tables and chairs, welcomed market guests, assisted staff at the info booth. 

  • Our small but mighty volunteer Board of Directors worked to strengthen neighborhood ties, support staff, build a new website, bring back the annual vendor appreciation breakfast, and volunteer weekly at the markets—along with many other behind-the-scenes tasks.

  • We supported just over 70 small businesses and farms over our 50 market days. 

  • Between two markets, we saw record-high EBT sales, with approximately $6,000 in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) sales and $9,000 matched in Market Bucks and Produce Market Bucks thanks to our partnership with Hunger Solutions.

  • With Twin Cities Food Justice’s help, vendors donated over 5,800 pounds of fresh produce to local food banks. 

  • The Kingfield Farmers Market spent its second year at its new home at Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. Park. We are grateful for this space and the connection to the green space, courts, parks, and pool. Thank you to Minneapolis Parks and Recreation for hosting us and to Inner City Tennis for providing us with a space to store our abundance of market supplies.

  • Fulton Farmers Market ran for its 13th season at Lake Harriet United Methodist Church. Thanks to LHUMC and Fulton Neighborhood Association for their partnership and support!

  • We received record-high donations of over $10,500 from community members and market patrons. You know who you are!

 

We need to keep this momentum as we go into the 2023 market season! Please continue to sponsor, donate, volunteer, and SHOP at the markets! 

In health,

Neighborhood Roots
https://www.neighborhoodrootsmn.org/

 

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