Monticello Farmers Market prepares for the season

By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     The Monticello Farmers Market is a long-standing tradition in Monticello.

     Market Manager Peg Mere, owner of Island Produce, LLC, has been running the show for several years now. Each year more and more changes are brought in.

     Opening day for this season’s farmers market is just around the corner, May 12, just in time for Mother’s Day.

     Since taking over the market, Mere said the group of regular vendors meets in the spring to organize for the coming season.

     “We share marketing ideas and talk about any rules that may have changed,” said Mere, who gets updates from the state on a regular basis.

     This year, Mere, a former Monticello school board member, utilized the talented students in Jones Regional Education Center’s graphic design class to come up with a poster design.

     “They did a nice job and it’s a way to give the kids some real-life experience,” she said.

     While the vendor count changes from year to year, season-to-season, mere said they generally have a good variety of goods available to customers.

     “People here are passionate about fresh food, and we’re able to provide locally grown food to the community,” she said.

     Those who do pay the $5 a day or $30 a season to become a market vendor do have some rules to follow. Items must be home grown or homemade/hand crafted.

     Any new vendors receive a rule book from the state that spells out general farmers market guidelines.

     “This is not a vendor fair,” Mere said of outside companies direct-sale businesses.

     “Farmers markets are almost like small business incubators,” she said of giving some exposure to the vendors. “It’s a good way to try it out and it’s cost effective.”

     Other than growing their own products, Mere said any baked goods that are sold at the farmers market must contain a list of ingredients on the packaging.

     The variety of goods available at the Monticello Farmers Market include: fresh coffee beans and brewed coffee, fresh produce, baked goods, jams/jellies, handmade jewelry, and handmade greeting cards with local images depicted on the front.

     Mere said they can always use more bakers, especially homemade breads, and fresh vegetable vendors.

     A couple years ago, the farmers market relocated to the Willow Shelter at the Baty Disc Golf Course, behind Pizza Ranch. The area provides the vendors with shelter, eliminating the need for tailgate tents. It also keeps them dry from the elements and cool from the hot sun.

     Mere said the only downfall is visibility from drive-by traffic.

     A new marketing tool she plans to implement this season, to help with visibility, is the addition of text message reminders. Market customers can simply sign up for the text messages and Mere will send them out before every market on Wednesday and Saturday.

     “A lot of people forget about it until it’s too late,” she said.

     Another addition is farmers market gift certificates. Customers can purchase a gift certificate for that someone special and allow that person to redeem the certificate with any vendor they choose.

     “This is the first year for this ides, but it’s something we’ve talked about for a couple of years,” shared Mere.

     She said she got the idea from a statewide farmers market associate meeting. “We just had to figure out the logistics,” said Mere, “and get more people on board.”

     Any unspent balance, though, will not be given back in cash.

     The farmer market also holds monthly drawings. Each winner receives a farmers market goodie bag filled with a variety of items from each vendor.

     Throughout the season, new people show up from time to time at the market. On opening day, Pete Temple from the Monticello Express will entertain the crowd with his musical talent. The Monticello Public Library also holds craft sessions, too.

     “At the larger farmers markets, they always have entertainment or music,” said Mere. “People really get into it and it’s a nice addition to have here.” She said the music encourages people to socialize and stick around longer.

     With the winter weather stuck around longer into the spring, Mere said it’s been a slow start to the planting season for some.

     “We have some really long-time vendors who keep this going,” she said. “They provide great products.”

     You can follow the market happenings on their Facebook page: “Monticello Iowa Farmers Market.”

     If you want to become a vendor, contact Mere at 319-480-6739.

     The market is open on Wednesdays from 3-5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8-11 a.m.

 

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