Welcome to
Neighborhood Roots

The nonprofit that brings you Fulton, Kingfield and Nokomis Farmers Markets!

OUR MISSION

To bring neighbors together to buy, eat and learn about local food. We support local farmers and small businesses, promote vibrant community and affect important changes in food and agriculture policy.

OUR VALUES

  • Relationships – To engage the community at all levels including neighbors, vendors, and businesses. We strive to make the community stronger by being part of it.

  • Integrity – To be honest and transparent in the work we do, striving to create quality and a sustainable future for our community

  • Inclusiveness – We strive to create an active and engaged customer base, ensuring all are welcome and respected at our markets.

OUR HISTORY

Kingfield Farmers Market was launched in 2001 in cooperation with the Kingfield Neighborhood Association.  After years of growth, the market emerged as its own nonprofit in 2008, becoming the foundation for what is now known as the organization Neighborhood Roots.

In 2010 the then-Kingfield Farmers Market board of directors was approached by the Fulton Neighborhood Association, asking for guidance in setting up a farmers market for that neighborhood. The Fulton Farmers Market was officially launched in 2011. With the creation of this new market, we expanded our educational programming, increased the professional capacity of the organization by adding a second staff person, and began offering EBT sales options.

2013 brought the launch of our yearly indoor winter market series, and an opportunity for vendors, customers, and community members to connect year-round.  Most recently, Nokomis Farmers Market opened as a pilot project in 2014, after years of discussion with the Hale-Page-Diamond Lake Community Association about their desire for a farmers market in their own neighborhood.

Each year our board of directors takes time to assess how we are doing as an organization and consider how we can continue to serve the community in more and better ways.  For more about our transition to the organizational name “Neighborhood Roots,” check out this blog post.

WHO WE ARE

Neighborhood Roots is run by a market staff, a board of directors, and multiple groups of committed volunteers. We are passionate about supporting local agriculture and we can hardly wait to see our friends, neighbors and vendors at the market each week. We look forward to continuing to grow with you and serve this community.

Meet the Staff

  • Erica is responsible for market operations and vendor support. Erica first got involved in farmers markets through helping out on her grandma's farm and vending at the St. Paul Farmers Market. Ever since, she's promoted local food and small businesses by organizing and volunteering in community gardens, writing about local food security, and of course, shopping at farmers markets! Prior to joining Neighborhood Roots, she worked in sustainable agriculture research. Drop by the info booth this weekend and say hello!

 
  • Before moving to Minneapolis in May 2021, Mara helped run a farmers market in Bismarck, ND, for over 5 years. As a Registered Dietitian and Public Health Consultant, she works to address food insecurity needs while promoting healthy and local foods. One of Mara's main tasks for the season is to obtain sponsorships and build partnerships with local businesses and organizations!

 

 bOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our 2024 Board of Directors:

  • Sarah Woutat, Chair

  • Nikki Warner, Vice Chair

  • Alina Vargas - Treasurer

  • Rachel Holmes, Secretary

  • Erin Swenson-Klatt, At-large

  • Ashley Olson, At-large

  • Kelly Nickell, At-large

  • Sophia Pulice, At-large

  • Jennifer Berkowitz, At-large

  • Melissa Bakewell, At-large

  • Jim Kumon, At-large

  • Nick Schmidt, At-large

Feel free to reach out to our board by emailing chair@neighborhoodrootsmn.org.

Read more about our board and how you can join: