Nokomis Bake-Off July 24th!
Do you wish you could be on the Great British Bake-Off? Do you want baking bragging rights? Can you bake a beautiful brioche? Enter our Nokomis Farmers Market Bake-Off below!
All you need to do is make 100 sample sized bites of your favorite baked item and bring your creation to the Nokomis Farmers Market Info table on Wednesday, July 24th 18th by 4:30pm. We know 100 samples sounds like a lot, but even 25 cookies or your standard 9x11 baking dish can bear that many!
If you can't make it to the market, contact Emily at emily@neighborhoodrootsmn.org to make alternative arrangements.
Special consideration will go to those who use local, seasonal produce from the market! We'll have rhubarb, greens, strawberries, and herbs for all of your sweet and savory needs. We even sell eggs!
For just $5, your neighbors will purchase a sampler plate of all of the entries and vote their favorite. Eating Judging will start at 10am and all proceeds will support the market. The winner will receive a special market prize pack and 15 minutes of fame!
To enter your baked good(s), fill out the form below:
Fulton Bake-Off July 13th!
Do you wish you could be on the Great British Bake-Off? Do you want baking bragging rights? Can you bake a beautiful brioche? Enter our Fulton Farmers Market Bake-Off below!
All you need to do is make 100 sample sized bites of your favorite baked item and bring your creation to the Fulton Farmers Market Info table on Saturday, July 13th by 9:30am. We know 100 samples sounds like a lot, but even 25 cookies or your standard 9x11 baking dish can bear that many!
If you can't make it to the market, contact Emily at emily@neighborhoodrootsmn.org to make alternative arrangements.
Special consideration will go to those who use local, seasonal produce from the market! We'll have rhubarb, greens, strawberries, and herbs for all of your sweet and savory needs. We even sell eggs!
For just $5, your neighbors will purchase a sampler plate of all of the entries and vote their favorite. Eating Judging will start at 10am and all proceeds will support the market. The winner will receive a special market prize pack and 15 minutes of fame!
To enter your baked good(s), fill out the form below:
Kingfield Bake-Off June 23rd!
Do you wish you could be on the Great British Bake-Off? Do you want baking bragging rights? Can you bake a beautiful brioche? Enter our Kingfield Farmers Market Bake-Off below!
All you need to do is make 100 sample sized bites of your favorite baked item and bring your creation to the Kingfield Farmers Market Info table on Sunday, June 23rd by 9:30am. We know 100 samples sounds like a lot, but even 25 cookies or your standard 9x11 baking dish can bear that many!
If you can't make it to the market, contact Emily at emily@neighborhoodrootsmn.org to make alternative arrangements.
Special consideration will go to those who use local, seasonal produce from the market! We'll have rhubarb, greens, strawberries, and herbs for all of your sweet and savory needs. We even sell eggs!
For just $5, your neighbors will purchase a sampler plate of all of the entries and vote their favorite. Eating Judging will start at 10am and all proceeds will support the market. The winner will receive a special market prize pack and 15 minutes of fame!
To enter your baked good(s), fill out the form below:
What's happening at the markets in June?
by Sarah Woutat for the Southwest Journal
The Neighborhood Roots farmers markets are in full swing with produce coming into season and lots of meats, canned goods, prepared food and crafts available. Of course you come to the market to buy your groceries and chat with your farmers, but the market is also a community space where you can learn, be creative and dance. We have a great lineup of events and music this summer to round out your market experience.
June is a busy month with the Nokomis market opening Wednesday, June 12, a bake-off at Kingfield, cooking demos, music and lots more.
At Fulton, during the weekend of May 31, enjoy the musical stylings of brass band Preludes to a Blizzard. At Kingfield you can reduce your environmental footprint by learning more about recycling, composting and renewable energy, while listening to music by Steve West and the Northern Stars. All music is from 10 a.m. to noon.
Come to Fulton for your morning yoga with Blooma from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on June 8, and then learn about how to make a worm hotel! Come to Kingfield from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 9 to learn about vermicomposting. Broken Heartland String Band will play at both Fulton and Kingfield that weekend.
Wednesday, June 12, is opening day at Nokomis. We’ll be there from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with all of your grocery needs and plenty to choose from for dinner, as well as worm hotels and music by Leonor Guelbenzu.
If you’ve always wanted to learn how to make your own fermented foods, Jim from Topos Ferments will be teaching you how at Fulton from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on June 15. And the Raptor Center is back at Kingfield, from noon to 1 p.m. on June 16. Come to the market for an up-close view of eagles, owls, hawks and other raptors. Before the birds arrive, dance to One Ukelele’s upbeat tunes. Also, make sure you shop for ingredients for the next week’s Kingfield bake-off.
On June 22, Hana Bistro will be doing an Asian-inspired cooking demo with Fulton market ingredients and One Ukelele will provide tunes for the morning. On June 24, Hana Bistro will donate 10% of all dine-in, take-out and delivery orders to the Fulton Farmers Market.
June 23 is the Kingfield Farmers Market bake-off! Sign up online in advance and submit your creation by 9 a.m. We encourage you to use ingredients from the market in your recipe. Not a baker? We need you too! Buy a plate of goodies starting at 10 a.m. and vote for the winner. All proceeds from the bake-off support the Kingfield Farmers Market.
The winner will receive a special market prize pack, and well as 15 minutes of fame. Details are at neighborhoodrootsmn.org.
Market Fest at Nokomis is June 26. Our market host, First Evangelical Free Church, is hosting a community event that night, so we expect a bustling market evening. Preludes to a Blizzard will toot their horns while you participate in Market Science, a hands-on learning program.
During the last weekend in June, we’re making a Neighborhood Roots coloring book. Bring your submission to the markets, stop by and draw one, or email or mail it in. Make sure to include your name, age and which market you attend. We’ll compile all of the drawings and share the final product with our market community. The Matthew St. Francis Band will be at Fulton and the Roe Family Singers will be at Kingfield to round out great market days.
Double SNAP benefits with Market Bucks!
From KSTP: Market Bucks helps families fighting hunger at farmers markets
One non-profit is making sure low-income families don't go without food this summer.
The Food Group's farmer education program makes sure SNAP purchases can go a long way.
Farmers markets here in the Twin Cities and across the state are participating in the Market Bucks program. The goal is to not only support families fighting hunger but also provides an opportunity for emerging local farmers.
Big River Farms has a stand at the Kingfield Farmers Market.
"I know Market Bucks is a way for low-income families to have better buying power with their EBT cards, and it's just a way for people to get more fruits and vegetables, so I am all for it," said Faro Jones, a beginner farmer with Big River Farms.
The Market Bucks program offers a double your SNAP-EBT purchases up to $10 at participating farmers markets.
The program, run by the state, is in its third year and continues to grow.
The Food Group says it's a win-win for farmers and local families who need it the most.
"For folks who are struggling to afford food, summer is tough because kids are out of school and if they were getting free lunch at school, that's gone. Families are really struggling to afford the food they need to feed their families and what's great about Market Bucks is not only does it stretch people's buying power but also benefits local farmers," said Sophia Lenarz-Coy with the Food Group.
Kingfield opening day!
Are you ready for the first Kingfield Farmers Market of the year? Enjoy the local Americana, folk band One Ukulele while you up-cycle your old t-shirts into tote bags. You can also get a snack from Chef Shack Ranch and Northern Fires Pizza while you shop for your plant starts and produce.
Did you know that less than half of our operating budget comes from stall fees? The rest is from our amazing donors and community partners. If you want to support the market consider becoming a volunteer or a donor. To learn more, check out our volunteer and donor pages. Fulton volunteers help us with set up, tear down, story time, kid’s crafts, and so much more!
To learn more, check out our Instagram or our Facebook pages or sign up for our newsletter. Don’t forget to tag us @neighborhoodrootsmn!
Fulton opening day!
The day we've all been waiting for is almost here! Come join us at the opening weekend for Fulton Farmers Market! Not only will we have plant starts and local produce, but we will also have great food by Oh Crepe and Alimama's. Listen to the self proclaimed "good time, old time, hillbilly band" Roe Family Singers while you make your own re-usable tote bag for yourself or your neighbor through our new "take a tote, leave a tote" program!
Did you know that less than half of our operating budget comes from stall fees? The rest is from our amazing donors and community partners. If you want to support the market consider becoming a volunteer or a donor. To learn more, check out our volunteer and donor pages. Fulton volunteers help us with set up, tear down, story time, kid's crafts, and so much more!
To learn more, check out our Instagram or our Facebook pages or sign up for our newsletter. Don't forget to tag us @neighborhoodrootsmn!
Hiring Assistant Market Manager!
We are now accepting applications for our Assistant Market Manager position! This is an excellent opportunity for folks who want to work outside, gain nonprofit management experience and support local farmers. Major responsibilities include market day operations and volunteer management, but there are opportunities to get involved in marketing, fundraising, program development, advocacy and more. At Neighborhood Roots, we strongly believe in people power and we are committed to helping our staff, board and volunteers with their personal and professional development. Details on this position are posted below. Share with your networks!
Position: Assistant Market Manager 2019 Fulton, Kingfield, & Nokomis Farmers Markets
Position Type: Seasonal/Part-time May through October 2019
Compensation: $13.00/hour
Reports to: Market Manager
Application Requirements: Cover letter and resume
Due: Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Position posted 2/15/19; position closes 3/15/19.
To: manager@neighborhoodrootsmn.org
Neighborhood Roots operates the Fulton, Kingfield, & Nokomis Farmers Markets in South Minneapolis. Our mission is to bring neighbors together to buy, eat, and learn about local food. We support local farmers, promote vibrant community and locally owned businesses, and effect important changes in food and agriculture policy.
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 18th – October 27th. Nokomis is held on Wednesdays from 4 – 8pm, June 12th – September 25th.
The position begins the week of May 6th and ends the week of October 28th, 2019.
This is a seasonal, part-time position with an average of 22 – 30 total available hours per week during the market season (May – October). The number of hours is closest to 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, with some flexibility possible in the case of a shared position. Duties will consist of approximately 70% market-site staffing and 30% market administrative tasks.
Essential Functions:
– Manage market day volunteers
– Oversee activities at the market information booth during market hours including: offering high quality customer service and conducting SNAP-EBT, credit card, & merchandise sales
– Assist in physical market set-up and tear-down
– Provide on-site support to all vendors, patrons, musicians, artists, master gardener volunteers, and other community activity providers as needed
– Perform accounting related to the EBT / credit card token system used at the markets and affiliated mini-markets. Assist with related paperwork and tracking
– Support preparation and execution of special and weekly events including but not limited to demos, music, and family-friendly activities
– Create weekly e-newsletters, assist with the maintenance of other social media channels
– Ensure market supplies are kept well-stocked and organized
– Other reasonable duties as assigned to support the Market Director, Market Manager, and general market operations
Required Qualifications:
– Able to adjust to changing conditions and priorities
– Strong ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced setting
– Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to establish and maintain strong relationships and provide high quality customer service
– Must be highly organized and detail-oriented
– Aptitude with numbers and basic counting, math skills
– Strong problem solving ability
– Able to accomplish tasks with limited direct supervision
– Able to effectively work with individuals from diverse backgrounds
– Must be able to routinely lift up to 50lbs
Flexible schedule must include Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the market season. The Assistant Market Manager may take up to 6 market days off during the season, in coordination with other staff
Preferred Qualifications
– Cash-handling experience
– Interest in sustainable agriculture, food justice and local food policy
– Experience working with volunteers
Seeking market vendors and community sponsors!
What do Sun Street Breads, Bogarts Donuts, Rise Bagels and The Beez Kneez have in common? They all got their start at a Neighborhood Roots market!
Neighborhood Roots is the nonprofit that operates Kingfield, Fulton and Nokomis farmers markets in South Minneapolis, as well as a series of Winter Markets at Bachman’s on Lyndale. With a few staff members, a dozen board members and a great network of volunteers, we support more than 100 local businesses grow every year.
Our mission is 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.
Farmers markets are small business incubators. They provide a unique opportunity to access new markets and pilot new products.
New farmers who vend at markets have more flexibility to control their operation, as opposed to wholesale contracts with retailers. Social enterprises like Big River Farm have an opportunity to do face-to-face outreach and education about their mission of supporting small farmers. As our vendors grow and evolve, they can build a solid customer base and develop their niche in the local economy.
If you are a starting or growing a business in Minnesota and want to gain access to the Twin Cities marketplace, apply to become a vendor with Neighborhood Roots!
Our markets are first and foremost producer markets. Vendors must grow, produce or substantially transform the products they are selling. Typically, our markets are comprised of a mix of agricultural vendors, value-added packaged food vendors, baked goods vendors and ready-to-eat food and craft vendors. When selecting vendors for our markets, we select first for farmers. We prioritize connecting consumers to locally grown and produced agricultural products — vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy, grains and legumes — that are sold at the market by vendors who cultivate and raise their own products.
Each market serves the unique needs of their respective communities. Decisions regarding vendor selection and market mix are made by a committee comprised of board members, community members, market volunteers and staff.
To apply, visit our website for more information. Before you start your application, take time to review our vendor policies first so we’re all on the same page. We are accepting applications until Feb. 17, so apply today!
Starting and growing a new business can be stressful and uncertain. You can support these brave entrepreneurs by becoming a market sponsor.
The generous support of neighborhood businesses make our markets happen. Each market has unique relationships with business owners who want to build trust and name recognition in the neighborhood.
For example, Nicollet ACE Hardware has been a longtime champion of Kingfield Farmers Market, providing both financial support and special in-kind donations, like a grill for our raffle fundraiser last summer. We direct our market gardeners and cottage food producers to buy their supplies at ACE after stocking up on plant starts in the spring or soon-to-be-pickled produce in height of summer.
Nokomis Farmers Market has flourished thanks to 3 Bears Landscaping. Our partnership has led market goers to choose 3 Bears for their next big landscaping project.
At Fulton Farmers Market, we are lucky to have Kamie Augustine in our corner. Augustine Team of Keller Williams has been with us for years and has built strong relationships with current and future homeowners in Fulton neighborhood.
One of the major sponsors of Neighborhood Roots is HERO Plumbing, Heating and Cooling. They even provided us with an amazing bounce house for folks to enjoy at each of our markets last summer!
Becoming a market sponsor supports your own business, strengthens the local economy and invests in the farmers markets as valuable community assets. To learn more, contact Neighborhood Roots Executive Director Emily Lund at emily@neighborhoodrootsmn.org.
Grow Community in 2019
Our food system is incredibly dynamic and complex. Each meal you make is affected by political, environmental, social, economic and cultural trends. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the global challenges we face include climate change, immigration policy, international trade laws, population growth, natural resource management, extreme poverty, conflict and disease. These big issues interact and create systems that often exacerbate humanitarian crises, health pandemics and economic exploitation. These systems tend to strip the natural environment while leaving billions of people suffering from chronic nutritional illnesses, including malnutrition, obesity and diabetes. It will take a cultural revolution to resist agricultural systems that fail to nourish the land and its people.
The seeds of resistance are planted at home. As artist and activist Ricardo Levins Morales writes, “The seeds of resistance are unlike any other seed mix: best when planted together, they will grow under any conditions at any time of year. Although yields may vary from season to season, tended carefully the harvest is sure to include many complementary varieties, from climate justice and racial equity to trans and queer liberation, dignity for migrants, improved labor conditions and much, much more. Plant some in your community garden!” In 2019, let’s learn how to tend our community garden together.
It’s important to remember gardening isn’t an action; it’s an ongoing practice of creating environments that foster growth. Food justice is not an action or position, it’s a practice. How can we practice food justice in a way that nourishes the land and people we care about? There are many ways to practice, and getting involved at your neighborhood farmers market is one of them. Your neighborhood farmers market offers a unique opportunity to practice food justice. Building relationships with your farmers and neighbors is key to building a strong local food system. Every market day, you can learn from each other about everything from seasonal recipes to indigenous land rights to horticultural science to herbal medicine to the consequences of the Farm Bill.
You don’t have to wait until summer to get started. As you may know, Neighborhood Roots is a nonprofit that runs farmers markets year round in South Minneapolis. Our mission is to bring neighbors together to buy, eat and learn about food. We support local farmers and small businesses, promote vibrant community and effect important changes in food and agricultural policy. Mark your calendars for our upcoming Winter Markets on Saturday January 26th, Saturday February 23rd and March 23rd. Our indoor markets take place at Bachman’s on Lyndale from 9am to 1:30pm. Stock up on root vegetables, gourds, jam, pickles, maple syrup, meat, eggs, cheese and more while supporting three dozen local businesses. Grow those relationships by making the farmers market a part of your weekly routine this year. We operate Kingfield Farmers Market (Sundays) and Fulton Farmers Market (Saturdays) from mid-May through October, as well as Nokomis Farmers Market (Wednesdays) from mid-June through September.
Deepen your practice by volunteering at the market. It takes an amazing team of dedicated volunteers to transform parking lots into vibrant community spaces. We need volunteers to help with operations, programming and community outreach. Your time and energy helps support more than a hundred local farmers and makers, as well as the thousands of folks who love their neighborhood market.
One of our amazing volunteers wrote this about the markets: “Every time you make a local purchase, it’s like tying a tiny thread to your finger that connects you to someone else in the area. That thread is a small part of the web that you create every day, all of the connections you make. Every smile, every donut, every jar of jam — that is what creates community.” Join our community by becoming a volunteer, donor, shopper or vendor this year. See you at the market!