Market Updates

JOIN THE FRIENDS OF ATHENS FARMERS MARKET FOR AN UPCOMING EVENT:

THREE
OR MORE COOKING CONTEST
Saturday, June 28th at 10:00AM in the
Market Cafe
Create a dish using three or more ingredients purchased from AFM producers
Categories: Savory or Sweet

Registration (including recipes) due by Wednesday, June 25th - bring to Friends table at the Market Cafe

for more info, contact Joe and Lynda Berman at berman@ohio.edu


COMING SOON....
Athens Farmers Market Blog!!
We will soon be entering the bloggisphere at www.athensfarmersmarket.blogspot.com
Check here for market updates and info about product availability, social service programs and much more! 


AFM has the spirit of Athens...
Visit www.soulofathens.com  to see some excellent footage of AFM and the many faces that contibute to our thriving Market!

AFM Location Update

Last summer we notified vendors that we needed to find a new location for the market. After many uncertain months, we are happy to report that the University Mall owners and the Market entered into a month-to-month lease in exchange for a rental payment.  The Market Executive Committee has decided that we should remain at the University Mall for the foreseeable future.

While the lease with the University Mall is month-to-month, the owners have assured us that they will give us as much notice as possible if we have to vacate. In order to be prepared, we will retain the plan which has been developed for moving to the large parking lot at the east end of the East State Street park. We would move to this location only if we have to leave the University Mall before a permanent (or better) location could be developed.

At the same time, we are working with the City of Athens to secure a permanent location for the market. Since the 1970’s there has been a city ordinance that the Market shall be provided space at the East State Street park. We have asked the city to renew their commitment to this ordinance, and City Council has authorized a study for us. If an appropriate location can be found, we anticipate that the City will proceed to develop a public pavilion (shelter) to house the market. The market will have a major role in the design of such a location and pavilion.

The principal reason why we should stay at the University Mall at this time is that the East State Street parking area cannot hold our current operation. We would have less stall space and fewer customer parking spaces, which could lead to fewer sales and a loss of customers. In addition, we believe that giving the City time to plan a permanent site will please our customers and all of us.

Remaining at the University Mall under the new agreement will mean an increase in fees to our vendors.  However, moving to the parking lot of the East State Street park would also entail a fee increase to cover the costs of new signs, advertising, and additional staff to manage stall arrangements and customer parking.)

In addition, there is now an independently owned coffee business parked in the Market zone.  This buisness was  NOT part of the market, but was placed there by the Mall owners. We cannot have the van moved, and will need to rearrange stall assignments along that row for the new season.