2017 Winter Farmers Markets!
Mark your calendar for the 2017 Winter Farmers Markets! January 28th, February 25th and March 25th!
Holiday Farmers Market Sunday, Nov. 13th!
Believe it or not, the holiday season is just around the corner! Make it your goal this season to put your holiday dollars right back into the community by buying gifts made by local artisans and cooking with meats, cheeses and vegetables purchased from small, local farmers. Stop by Bachman’s Garden Center (6010 Lyndale Ave. S) from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm on Sunday, November 13th to connect with local farmers, chat with neighbors and stock up on local foods and gifts for the chilly months ahead!
Plenty of produce will still be available at the November Holiday Market! Vendors will have root veggies such as beets, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions and carrots, along with cold hearty cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage. Several vendors will have apples which can store for up to six months in the fridge, so stock up!
Astound your holiday guests with the amazing local meats and cheeses. Pork, lamb, beef and chicken will all be available along with delectable cheeses made with goat, sheep and cow’s milk.
If you’re looking for thoughtful gifts for the holidays, there will be plenty of craft vendors at the market along with food vendors carrying non-perishable items. Jams, honey and maple syrup make great stocking stuffers! Hand knitted items, soap, jewelry, and printed towels are all can’t miss gifts.
The November market is a fun way kick off to the winter season. Take the morning slow and enjoy a beer from Eastlake Brewery or a glass of wine while you shop! Several vendors will have delicious options for breakfast or lunch and live music from the Saint Paul Mudsteppers and Brian Peterson will be keeping the atmosphere festive.
Farmers Market shoppers are eligible for a discount at Bachman’s Garden Center. Mention “HolidayMarket” at the store registers to get $5 off a $25+ Bachman’s purchase. Valid 11/13, on regular-priced in-store items only; market goods not included.
Mark your calendar for the three additional Neighborhood Roots Winter Markets on January 28th, February 25th, and March 25th (Saturdays).
Thanks to Uptown Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, Nicollet Ace Hardware, Lake Harriet Veterinary, France 44, the Augustine Team, and Bryant Lake Bowl for their support of these events!
Volunteers and board members wanted!
It takes a lot of behind the scenes planning and heavy-lifting to make our farmers markets happen, and we couldn’t do it without the help of our dedicated volunteers and board members! If you’re someone who loves that Fulton, Kingfield, or Nokomis is ‘your’ market – or you shop all the markets! – consider pitching in and getting involved.
We need volunteers every market day for set-up, clean-up, and occasional special events. If you have more time to give beyond just on market days, our board of directors is looking for new recruits. These folks – currently 13 residents from across South Minneapolis – help set the direction of our Neighborhood Roots organization and further our mission of bringing neighbors together to buy, eat, and learn about local food. They participate in annual strategic planning, attend regular board meetings, and serve on one of four committees: Executive, Marketing, Development, or Operations. Specific skills that we’re currently looking for among new board members include backgrounds in fundraising, web development, or local food policy.
If you have any of these skills or others to share, we’d love to hear from you. A full position description is included below. For more information, to attend a meeting, and / or to get connected to current board members for any question you might have, get in touch with Neighborhood Roots’ Executive Director, Alex Cortes, at alex@neighborhoodrootsmn.org
We will also be hosting “meet and greets” with board members at the markets on:
Fulton: Saturday, 8/20, 9am – 11am
Kingfield: Sunday, 8/28, 9:30am – 11am
Nokomis: Wednesday, 9/7, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Can’t make these? Stop by the market information booth at any point to say hi.
Board Member Job Description.
The Neighborhood Roots Board of Directors is a working board of committed volunteers who regularly contribute their time at board and committee meetings and special events, handle organizational administration, and volunteering to support operations at the farmers markets. Board members are expected to contribute a minimum of 6 – 10 hours per month. Board members are expected to make an effort to regularly volunteer at the markets. Volunteering at the markets can consist of many activities, including physical set up and tear down, helping out with special activities, serving as greeters, talking and building relationships with vendors, filling in for staff, as needed, and general troubleshooting.
Regular expectations and duties include:
Regularly attends board meetings, committee meetings, market events and related meetings.
Makes serious commitment to participate actively in committee work; each board member is required to participate on at least one committee (executive, marketing, sponsorship/development and/or operations and events).
Volunteers for and willingly accepts assignments and completes them thoroughly and on time, including regular participation at the markets.
Stays informed about committee matters, prepares themselves well for meetings, and reviews and comments on minutes and reports.
Gets to know other board members and committee members and builds a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus.
Is an active participant in the board’s annual evaluation and strategic planning efforts.
Participates in some way in supporting fund raising for the organization.
Come get down with us at the Neighborhood Rootenanny, July 30th!
We know our customers are a rowdy bunch who need to cut loose from time to time and dance to some bluegrass. We thought what better way to celebrate the end of Make My Market Happen month than to celebrate with some great music, prizes and games. We hope you can join us!
When: Saturday, July 30, 6-10pm
Where: 3805 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409 (the parking lot of Nicollet Ace Hardware in South Minneapolis)
Music: The Broadfork String Band, Saint Paul Mudsteppers
Drinks: Beer from Bent Paddle Brewing and Lakes & Legends Brewing Company. Wine too, and lemonade for the kiddos.
Food trucks: The Moral Omnivore and Finer Meats
Tickets: $10 / adult; $5 / kid 12 & under. Purchase your tickets here or at any of our markets. Tickets will also be available at the door on the night of.
Thanks to Uptown Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling, Nicollet Ace Hardware, & Blackbird for their support of this event!
July is “Make my market happen” month
What if you didn’t have your favorite farmers market to go to this Saturday or Sunday morning or Wednesday night? What if instead of a bustling market where you can run into your neighbors amidst healthy food, local crafts and music you found an empty parking lot?
It’s a little dramatic to imagine the markets not being there, but the point is a lot that goes into making the Kingfield, Fulton and Nokomis markets happen each week. In fact, it takes two full-time and one part-time staff along with an army of volunteers to pull it off. There are costs for tables, tents, printing, insurance, permits, weekly entertainment, electricity, and salaries for our small but dedicated staff (which we're proud to say includes health care coverage).
You may be surprised that vendor fees only cover about 40% of what it costs to operate the markets.
We keep vendor fees low to help nurture and support these local farmers and entrepreneurs. You may be surprised that vendor fees only cover about 40% of what it costs to operate the markets. Beyond that, we rely on sponsorship from local businesses and donations from individuals. July is when we’re asking the community to step up and help make the markets happen.
Three ways to support the markets this month!
Buy a raffle ticket at the market -- One ticket for $5 or five tickets for $20. Prizes include a Opus Zermatt bike donated by Farmstead Bike Shop and a Weber Grill donated by Nicollet Ace Hardware, and a market basket filled with products sold at our markets.
Attend the “Neighborhood Rootenanny” the evening of July 30th -- Tickets are $10 and will be available for purchase at all our markets and online.
Simply donate to the markets -- Make a donation here if you simply like going to the markets and want them to continue.
Our goal in July is to reach a goal of $5,000 in fundraising. It’s up to you to make the market happen and your financial support is greatly appreciated.
See you at the market!
Mark Your Calendar for the Opening Days of the Farmers Markets!
The outdoor farmers market season is almost here! Mark your calendars and start your shopping lists for the opening days of the Fulton, Kingfield and Nokomis Farmers Markets!
Now hiring: Assistant Market Manager
Update: This position has been filled as of May 1st.
We are now hiring a part-time, seasonal Assistant Market Manager for the 2016 market season. Applications will be accepted through April 13th, 2016, or until the position is full.
An overview: the Assistant Market Manager assists with the day-to-day operations of the Neighborhood Roots farmers markets in order to serve its vendors, patrons, volunteers, sponsors, and affiliated mini-market partners. Neighborhood Roots oversees 3 community-based markets: Fulton, Kingfield, & Nokomis. Fulton and Kingfield are held every Saturday and Sunday from 8:30am – 1:00pm, May 21st – October 30th. Nokomis is held on Wednesdays from 4 – 8pm, June 15th – September 28th.
This is a seasonal, part-time position with the expectation that Assistant Manager will work an average of 22 – 30 hours during the market season (May – October). The number of hours will increase to about 30 hours per week when the Nokomis market is in season (mid-June – end of September). Working hours include time before, during, and after the hours the markets are open to the public, as well as additional administrative time during the week. Saturday & Sunday availability (6:45am – 2:30pm) and Wednesday availability (2:30pm – 9:15pm) are required. Duties will consist of approximately 70% market-site staffing and 30% market administrative tasks.
Please see the attached PDF for a full list of job duties and qualifications: NR Asst Mgr JD 2016
Final Winter Market, March 26th!
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Don't miss the last Neighborhood Roots Winter Farmers Market of the season! It's the final chance to stock up on local goodies until the outdoor market season starts on May 21st. Head to Bachman's Garden Center (6010 Lyndale Ave. S) On Saturday March 26th from 9:00 am - 1:30 pm to shop for local meat, amazing cheeses, jam, pickles, fermented vegetables, honey, maple syrup, pies, bagels, micro greens, granola, crafts and so much more!
Enjoy live music from Brian Peterson (9:00-11:00 am) and Finn Street (11:30 am- 1:30 pm). Beer from Bauhaus Brew Labs and wine will be available for sale by the glass!
Store discount: visitors to Bachman’s on Lyndale can mention “MarchMarket” at the store registers to get $5 off a $25+ Bachman’s purchase. Valid 3/26, regular-priced in-store items only. Market goods not included.
Mark your calendar for the opening weekend of the Fulton and Kingfield Farmers Markets on May 21st and May 22nd! Nokomis begins not long after on June 15th. Many thanks to Uptown Heating and Cooling, The Augustine Team, Nicollet Ace Hardware, France 44, and Bryant Lake Bowl for making our Winter Markets possible!
Dine Out and Support the Farmers Markets!
There are three great opportunities coming up in March and April to enjoy delicious food and beverages while supporting the Fulton, Kingfield and Nokomis Farmers Markets! Your support helps to keep our non-profit organization strong!
On Monday March 7th, Wise Acre Eatery will be donating 10% of their revenue for the day to the Kingfield Farmers Market! Enjoy a delicious meal made with local seasonal ingredients while contributing to the market you love! Wise Acre is open from 9 am to 9 pm on Mondays so stop by for brunch, happy hour, or dinner!
Throughout the day on Monday March 28th, all three Broders' restaurants- Terzo, the Pasta Bar, and the Cucina Italiana - will be donating 15% of their revenue to the Fulton Farmers Market! Enjoy a fun meal out with friends or bring home takeout for a convenient dinner.
Throughout the month of April, everytime a thristy customer purchases a West Bank Pale Ale from the Town Hall Brewery, Town Hall Tap, or Town Hall Lanes, ¢25 from the purchase will be donated to the Nokomis Farmers Market! Don't miss the kick-off happy hour on Thursday April 7th from 4-6 pm at Town Hall Lanes!
Vendor fees account for less than 45% of our organizational operating budget – our 501c4 non-profit relies on support from local businesses and market-goers like you to bridge the remaining gap. Sponsors and independent donations help strengthen our mission of supporting local farms and small businesses, promoting vibrant community, and effecting important changes in food and agriculture policy. Big thanks to Wise Acre Eatery, Broders' Restaurants, and The Town Hall Brewery for their support!
February 27th Winter Market!
The February 27th Winter Farmers Market is just around the corner! It's another great opportunity to stock up on all your favorite locally produced goods and visit the vendors you love from the Fulton, Kingfield and Nokomis farmers markets. There will still be hearty produce stored from the outdoor season including apples, root vegetables, dried beans and winter squash. Stock up on local meats, cheeses, pickles, jams, honey, hot sauce, cold pressed juice, coffee beans, gluten free baked goods and much more! Three tasty prepared food vendors will have a variety of delicious breakfast and lunch items so come hungry. Enjoy beer from Bauhaus Brew Labs and wine available for sale by the glass.
Live music will accompany your morning shopping trip! The Hawthorn Collection will be playing from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm and One Ukelele will play from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm.
Store discount: visitors to Bachman’s on Lyndale can mention “FebMarket” at the store registers to get $5 off a $25+ Bachman’s purchase. Valid 2/27, regular-priced in-store items only. Market goods not included.
Mark your calendar for the final Winter Market on March 26th! Many thanks to Uptown Heating and Cooling, The Augustine Team, Nicollet Ace Hardware, France 44, and Bryant Lake Bowl for making our Winter Markets possible!