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MEMO T0: Mark �/,� <br />FRODh Bruce S1X' <br />DATE: August 21, 1978 <br />RE: Farmers Market <br />After zeviewing the City Council's action on Monday, August 14 <br />concerning the Farmers Market guidelines, staff has determined <br />� that tha program could-not fanction successfully tiecausa 'the- -� � <br />program sellers would be limited to Mounds View residents. <br />The intent of the program was to provide a service for thase � <br />residents rho did have�psoduce to sell as well as those wishitng <br />to purchase-fresh produce.� Staff feels that a minimum of 20 <br />sellers xould hava been needed to make the program feasible from <br />the following standpoint: � <br />1. So there would be enough produce to meet the consumers <br />demand. <br />2. To ensure enough variety of produce to have even the <br />'•common" gardener interested in the program. Items such <br />as rutabagas, squash, corn, apples and melons are not <br />common backyard iYems because of space limitations. <br />3. If there were less than 20 sellers, the exchange of <br />gardening tips, stories and general socialbility would <br />be lost. <br />Staff did contact 30 of our community gardeners and residents to <br />determine if they were interested in selling produce and there <br />general reaction was that they weren't interested in selling but <br />rather to purchase additional produce for canning. � ' <br />Staff feels that they did not maka the "service" or "selling" <br />issue clear to the Council and wouid like to have the potential � <br />of such a farmers market program explored in the future. Judging <br />from the aumber of phone calls from interested residents (approxi- <br />mately 25) xe have received concerning the prngram, we�feel with � <br />enough lead time and promotion the program could be a success in 1979. <br />It should be noted that staff concurs with the Council's desire to <br />limit the program to backyard gardeners only and to eliminate the <br />small truck farmers at the onset. If the program should prove io <br />be a success, the issue of small truck farmers could be examined at <br />that time. <br />If you have any further questions, feel free to give me a call. <br />