Market Update
Fulton Farmers Market will not take place Saturday May 30th. Kingfield Farmers Market will not take place Sunday May 31st. Our farmers and neighbors are trying to find ways to help support community members experiencing trauma during this difficult time.
If you know of individuals or organizations currently accepting produce donations, please contact emily@neighborhoodrootsmn.org
If you haven’t engaged in anti-racism work in the past, start now. Not sure where to start? Refer to this Anti-Racism Resources document (originally compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker, Alyssa Klein in May 2020)
Letter from the Board
The Continued Success of Our Markets Depends on Customers like You
Dear Market Customers,
We are the eight volunteer board members of Neighborhood Roots, the organization that runs Fulton, Kingfield, and Nokomis Farmers Markets in South Minneapolis. Like everyone else, the COVID-19 pandemic has touched our lives in small and profound ways. Our hearts go out to people who have become ill or lost loved ones to this disease, as well as those who have lost jobs, income, or entire businesses in the last several months. As we figure out how to operate our markets safely in this new landscape, we have also been grappling with how to ensure that our markets remain financially solvent. We are writing to you, our customers, at this extraordinary time because without your financial support, our markets may not be able to survive beyond this season.
You may be wondering why the stall fees we charge vendors are not sufficient to fund our market operations. The answer is simple: we take our commitment to farmers and other vendors seriously, and we know that raising stall fees significantly above what we currently charge would price out many of the vendors our customers have come to know and love. As a result, vendor stall fees make up only about half of our operating expenses. In addition, we will be reducing the number of vendors at our summer markets in order follow social distancing requirements and keep everyone safe, which will reduce the amount of our stall fee revenue even further.
You may also be wondering why we don’t simply reduce our expenses. The reality is that we have a shoestring budget given our reach and impact. Neighborhood Roots operates a total of 68 unique markets each year, rain or shine, from May to October, three days a week, in three different locations on an annual budget of just $120,000, but which generates over $2 million annually in financial transactions. Operating markets at this frequency and quality is not only labor intensive; it is highly skilled work that volunteers alone would not be able to perform.
While it may seem that vendors just show up and sell their goods, the reality is that our markets could not function without our two outstanding full-time staff, Emily Lund and Sarah Woutat. Emily, our Executive Director, oversees our budget and finances, marketing, community partnerships and strategic planning with other markets and government agencies that regulate our markets. Sarah, our market manager, oversees day-to-day operations at markets in addition to recruiting, selecting, and supporting our vendors year-round. As COVID-19 hit Minnesota, Emily and Sarah worked quickly and creatively to prepare our markets for our new reality, transforming our last winter market into pre-order only and supporting numerous vendors in setting up online ordering systems for the first time. A donation to Neighborhood Roots is an investment in our ability to retain Emily and Sarah and to provide them the compensation they deserve.
Finally, you may be wondering why business sponsorships can’t close our funding gap. Although our organization does not profit from market sales, we don’t qualify as a 501c3 non-profit because we are classified as a social welfare organization. As a result, we are a 501c4, and many large businesses do not consider us for their charitable giving programs because their donations to us may not be tax deductible. In addition, our scaled back markets and a struggling economy have put some of our expected sponsorships in jeopardy, so individual donations from customers like you are essential to helping us make up the difference.
Customers like you know the value our markets create for everyone involved, and we are counting on you to help us get through what is likely to be the most challenging year in our existence. We are asking our staff and vendors to adapt and innovate like never before, and we are asking you, our customers, to do your part as well. Our goal is to close our funding gap by raising $15,000 in individual donations by July 1. To donate, click here or talk to one of the staff or volunteers at the market. You can make a one-time contribution or a monthly recurring contribution, which gives us a stable, year-round funding source.
We hope that you will continue supporting our markets in this challenging time, not only as a customer, but as a recurring contributor. This pandemic has helped all of us refocus on what is truly important in our lives, and we hope that you will recognize the importance of the Fulton, Kingfield, or Nokomis markets, our vendors, and our staff in your life by making a contribution today.
Sincerely,
Neighborhood Roots Board of Directors
David Aron
Katherine Huber
Candice Gillmore
Jon Shelver
Susan Small
Sarah Chiapetta
David Bresler
Kirsten Arbeiter
Preorder plants now & pick up opening weekend!
Opening weekend is in less than two weeks! What a perfect time to start (or expand) your garden. If you want to beautify your yard, start an urban farm, enjoy a little horticultural therapy or just keep your hands busy, our farmers have you covered! Preorder herbs, veggies, medicinal plants, native perennials and more directly from local farmers and pick them up Saturday May 16th at Fulton Farmers Market or Sunday May 17th at Kingfield Farmers Market.Gardening getting more popular every day, so preorder now to reserve your favorite varieties. Click the links to our farmers online garden stores to place your orders. Make sure to take pictures of your gardens throughout the season and tag your farmer (and market) on social media. Let's grow together!
Fulton Farmers Market: Saturday May 16th
- Certified Organic vegetables, herb, and flower plants in compostable potsFOXTAIL IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING ORDER FOR 5/16 - 5/23 IS NEXT AVAILABLE DATE.
Peter's Pumpkins and Carmen's Corn
- Vegetable plants and flower baskets
Kingfield Farmers Market: Sunday May 17th
- Certified Organic Medicinal plants and herbs
- Open pollinated and heirloom vegetable, herb, and flower plants
- Vegetables, herb, and flower plants
Peter's Pumpkins and Carmen's Corn
- Vegetable plants and flower baskets
- Annual, perennial, and native plants
ORDERING CLOSED: Preorder & Pick Up Market - Thursday April 23rd
ATTENTION: ONLINE ORDERING HAS CLOSED FOR THIS MARKET!
Our regular outdoor season doesn't open until May 16th, but you can stock up on local products on Thursday April 23rd! Products will be available for pick up between 4pm - 7pm in the south parking lot of Bachman's on Lyndale. This is a preorder only market; no payments or browsing will be allowed at this market. Read this post carefully to ensure a safe & enjoyable experience for consumers, producers and staff.
PREORDER & PICK UP MARKET
Thursday April 23rd, 4-7pm
South parking lot of Bachman's on Lyndale
6010 Lyndale Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55419
Shoppers must preorder products directly from vendors and schedule a pick up time through Neighborhood Roots. All payments must be made prior to pick up. The only exception is for SNAP/EBT transactions. To use your SNAP benefits and receive matching Market Bucks, contact vendors directly and let them know you will be paying with SNAP/EBT. When you arrive, check in at the Neighborhood Roots table to complete your transaction. If you have any questions, contact us at 612-207-7893 or info@neighborhoodrootsmn.org.
ATTENTION: ONLINE ORDERING HAS CLOSED FOR THIS MARKET!
PREORDER DIRECTLY FROM VENDORS: Shop online from the sixteen amazing vendors who will be at the Thursday April 23rd market. All payments and orders must be received by noon on Wednesday April 22nd, to give our vendors enough time to fulfill orders. Click links below to start shopping!
Brand Farms- apple chips, honey, eggs
Cafe Palmira- coffee beans
Cosmic Wheel Creamery- spinach, cheese, meat
Dancing the Land Farm- Mohair yarn, goat, pork, lamb, eggs
Driftless Hills Farm- Pastured lamb, pork, and chicken
Groveland Confections- Handmade chocolates
Halicek's Veseli Vrsek Orchard- Apples, honey
Johnson Family Pastures- Grassfed beef, pork, and chicken
Kiss My Cabbage- Lactofermented vegetables
LoveTree Farmstead Cheese- Raw and pasteurized goat, cow, and sheep cheese
Minnesota Food Forest- Maple products, fruit leathers, pickled vegetables
Peter's Pumpkins and Carmen's Corn- Jams, pickles, applesauce, spinach
Red Clover Apothecary Farm- Herbal products
Sunshine Harvest Farm- Pasture raised beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and eggs.
Walsh Ridge Farm- Maple syrup, honey, jams and jellies
Well Rooted Teas- Wild crafted teas
Wild Flyer Coffee- Coffee beans
SCHEDULE YOUR PICK UP TIME: To promote physical distancing and make the market go as smoothly as possible, shoppers will schedule their pick up time between 4pm and 7pm on Thursday April 23rd. Sign up for a 15 minute window via the Neighborhood Roots calendar platform. SPECIAL NOTE: The first half hour (4pm-4:30pm) is reserved for folks with health issues that put them at higher risk of contracting respiratory illnesses. If a time is listed as unavailable, it is because that time slot is full. Please select another time if possible.
PICK UP YOUR ORDERS: Arrive at the Bachman's on Lyndale at the beginning of your pick up window. The market will be set up in the south parking lot, just a block north of Highway 62/Crosstown and Lyndale Avenue. There will be signage and plenty of parking spaces directly next to the market for customers. Please send one person per household, if possible. If you have any questions on market day, call or text market staff at 612-207-7893.NOTE: If you have already placed an order and are feeling unwell on April 23rd, please do not visit the market. Contact us at 612-207-7893 to make arrangements.
2020 Outdoor Market Season
Farmers are essential workers. Farmers markets are essential services. Building a stronger and more resilient local food system is more important than ever. We are working closely with vendors, volunteers and other partners to create neighborhood marketplaces that protect the health and safety of our community.
Markets will be open. Markets will be different.
Here are a few of the changes we are making:
Physical distancing - change layout of the market to allow for at least six feet distancing between all vendors, volunteers, staff and shoppers
Hand washing stations - provide public access to sanitizer & hand washing stations. Require all vendors bring their own
Everyone must wear a mask: Shoppers, staff, volunteers and vendors are required to wear face coverings. If you don't have one, you can get one at the info table
Online ordering: facilitate pre-ordering directly from vendors and organize low-contact pick up options
Suspension of market programming: on-site entertainment & educational activities will be suspended for the 2020 outdoor season
Suspension of nonessential product sales: limit sales to essential items (food & health/wellness) through June 30th
No on-site food consumption: all food will be to-go and no seating will be provided in an effort to limit hand-to-mouth contact, as well as discourage folks from gathering at the market
SHOPPING TIPS: Please follow these guidelines to protect your vendors & neighbors
Wear a mask - if you don't have one, they are available at the market
Wash your hands - hand washing stations & hand sanitizer are available at the market
Send one shopper per household, if possible - if shopping with children, make sure they know what they can do to help keep folks safe at the market
Give folks space - maintain 6ft+ of physical distance
Let vendors serve you - do not touch products you haven't purchased
Be efficient - order online* or bring a shopping list
Wash your tote bags - wash reusable bags regularly & please don't set them on market tables
Do not eat or drink at the market - please wait to enjoy products at home
Stay informed - we send out a weekly e-newsletter that includes vendor/product lists & other timely information about upcoming markets. Sign up today!
* Note: Not all vendors accept online orders. For online ordering information, sign up for our newsletter on our website. To find more information about specific vendors, visit our vendor page.
Neighborhood Roots is a small nonprofit that operates Fulton, Kingfield and Nokomis Farmers Markets in South Minneapolis. We are made possible by the efforts of two staff members, a board of directors, dozens of volunteers, a hundred vendors and donors like you. The pandemic has profoundly affected our fundraising opportunities. We need you to make the markets happen.
You can make the markets happen by making a donation today.
You can make a bigger impact by becoming a sustaining donor, by setting up a monthly donation on our website. We work year round to support local farmers, small businesses and good food access. Together we can build a stronger and more resilient local food system. Thank you in advance for your support.
Support our vendors: shop local from home!
Winter farmers markets across the country have been canceled to protect the health and safety of our community. This creates significant hardship to our farmers and other vendors. However, you can still support your favorite local small businesses from the comfort of home! Many of our vendors sell online, by phone or through social media messaging. Follow the instructions and click green links below to order products directly from these awesome businesses.
Please consider making a financial contribution to Neighborhood Roots. Your support ensures our staff continue to be paid during this uncertain and unprecedented time. We need your help to continue to serve our mission and support our vendors. Thank you. Make a donation today.
(Note: This list is will be updated as more information becomes available)
Meat, Eggs, and Cheese:
Brand Farms accepts orders on their Facebook page (apple products & eggs)
Braucher’s Sunshine Harvest Farm accepts orders online (pasture raised, hormone and antibiotic free, beef, pork, lamb, chicken and eggs)
Order duck eggs delivered to your home from Clover Bee Farm
Cosmic Wheel Creamery accepts orders online (fresh and aged cheese from grassfed cows)
Driftless Hill Farm accepts orders online (pastured lamb, pork, and chicken)
Johnson Family Pastures accepts orders online (chicken, pork, grassfed beef and lamb)
Visit Lovetree Farmstead Cheese’s website for more information (artisan cheeses)
Support Wild Run Salmon by signing up for their CSF
Produce:
Big River Farms offers CSA Shares on their website (certified organic vegetables)
Brand Farms accepts orders on their Facebook page (apple products & eggs)
Order CSA shares, and greens delivered to your home from Clover Bee Farm
Support Dancing the Land Farm by signing up for a vegetable or flower CSA share, or purchasing a farmers market punch card
Foxtail Farm offers Spring and Fall/Winter CSA Shares
Follow Great Northern Microgreens on Instagram to stay updated on future events (microgreens)
Call Havlicek’s Orchard at (952)758-4386 to order apples and honey
Reserve an apple or fruit CSA share from Mary Dirty Face Farm (certified organic fruit)
Visit Peter’s Pumpkins and Carmen’s Corn website for more information (wide variety of fruit & vegetable products)
R&R Cultivation accepts orders online (locally grown organic mushrooms)
Stop by Tangletown Gardens in South Minneapolis to pick up their greens and veggies
Tutties Fruittie’s will begin offering online sales. Stay in touch on Instagram or email: tuttie.fruitties@gmail.com (certified organic vegetables)
Bedding Plants:
Stay in touch with these vendors as the season approaches to purchase your bedding plants:
Clover Bee Farm
Davidson’s Farm
First Blush Farm and Garden
Foxtail Farm
Grasshopper Farm
Pollinator Works
Flowers:
Contact Jan’s Artisan Garden through their website to order bouquets for pickup or delivery
Pantry staples:
Anga Mangia Granola Me accepts orders via email, email granolameplease@gmail.com (granola)
Cafe Palmira accepts orders by phone or email: text or call (763)742-3717 or email cafepalmira@yahoo.com (shade grown Guatamalan Arabica whole bean coffee)
Kiss My Cabbage accepts orders online (raw cultured vegetables)
Order from Minnesota Food Forest through Facebook messenger (maple syrup, fruit leathers, pickled good and jams)
Num Nuts offers online sales with pickup in Edina or delivery in SW Minneapolis
Patti’s Nuts & Granola accepts orders online (small batch roasted nuts & gluten-free granola)
Email Topos Ferments to order or reserve your CSA share, toposferments@gmail.com (fermented vegetables)
Message UMSF Preserves via Instragram to order for delivery (jams and preserves)
Email Dan from Walsh Ridge Farm to get your honey, jams, and maple syrup dan@walshridgefarm.com
Well Rooted Teas accepts orders online (local organic teas)
Buy coffee beans from Wildflyer Coffee on their website
Body Products and Wellness:
Mayamade Soap accepts orders online: use coupon code Neighborhood Roots to receive 20% off your order. (handcrafted small batch local/organic soaps)
Red Clover Herbal Apothecary accepts orders online (herbal extracts, teas, oils and salves)
Crafts:
Crankosaurus Press accepts orders online (screenprinted cards, tea towels, and napkins)
Go Go Glam Household Goods can be reached at sandra821@yahoo.com (hand-sewn household goods)
Jules Loft offers online ordering (edible garden art/bird feeders)
Nokomis Knitting offers online sales, with custom orders available (hand-knit goods)
Wyrd Sisters has an online shop (jewelry and clothing)
Ready to eat foods:
Follow Bakery Box on Instagram to find out how/where to buy their products (doughnuts & other pastries)
Fruit & Grain offers delivery and porch pickup for folks to get their pastry
Order from The Lupine Lady on Facebook or Instagram (variety of sweet treats)
Follow Northern Fires Pizza on Instagram to stay up to date
Order from Nana’s Bake Shoppe for pick up in Minnetonka (baked goods)
Sunstreet Breads is open for take-out, with online ordering available (bread and pastries)
More vendor information will be added as it becomes available. If links are not working, please contact emily@neighborhoodrootsmn.org
Market Canceled
After careful consideration, our board of directors has decided to cancel our March 14th indoor farmers market at Bachman's on Lyndale. The health and safety of our community is our priority. Read our latest newsletter to learn how to support our vendors.
We're hiring!
We are now accepting applications for Market Day Staff for the 2020 outdoor season! This is a great opportunity for early risers who want to spend time outside, meet new people and support our local food system. Scroll down for the complete job description and link to the application form. Priority deadline is March 20th. Applications will be reviewed upon submission. Applications remain open until the position is filled.
Contact Emily with any questions: emily@neighborhoodrootsmn.org
Market Day Staff Job Description
Position: Market Day Staff for Fulton, Kingfield, & Nokomis Farmers Markets
Position Type: Seasonal/Part-time May through October
Compensation: $12.00/hour
Reports to: Market Manager
Application Requirements: Submit application form on our website www.neighborhoodrootsmn.org/hiring_2020
Due: Priority deadline March 20th. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Start Date: Week of May 11th
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 affect important changes in food and agriculture policy.
Overview: Market Day Staff assists with the day-to-day operations of the Neighborhood Roots farmers markets in order to serve its vendors, patrons, volunteers and sponsors. Neighborhood Roots oversees 3 community-based markets: Fulton, Kingfield, & Nokomis. Market dates and hours are listed below:
Fulton Farmers Market
Saturdays 8:30am – 1pm
4901 Chowen Ave, Mpls
May 16th – October 24th
Kingfield Farmers Market
Sundays 8:30am – 1pm
4310 Nicollet Ave, Mpls
May 17th – October 25th
Nokomis Farmers Market
June 17th – Sept 30th
Wednesdays 4 – 8pm*
5167 Chicago Ave, Mpls
*closes 7:30pm in Sept
Shifts include time before, during, and after the hours the markets are open to the public. Saturday & Sunday shifts are 7am – 2:30pm. Wednesday shift is 2:30pm – 9pm. Shifts may end early, if volunteers are scheduled to help out. You can apply to one, two or all three markets. Clearly state your preference in your application.
This is an outdoor position. The markets are open rain or shine. This position is suited to people who want to wake up early, spend time outside and learn about our local food system.
Essential Functions:
– 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
– Conduct SNAP-EBT, credit card, & merchandise sales
– Assist with bookkeeping and data tracking
– Support execution of special and weekly events including but not limited to demos, music, and family-friendly activities
– 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:
– Positive attitude
– Punctuality
– Excellent customer service skills
– Ability to adjust to changing conditions and priorities
– Basic 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
Preferred Qualifications
– Cash-handling experience
– Interest in sustainable agriculture, food justice and local food policy
– Experience working with volunteers
NEIGHBORHOOD ROOTS IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where diversity is valued, supported and celebrated to benefit our vendors and customers. Women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, and people from indigenous communities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Farmers markets move inside for the winter!
Even though it’s cold outside, you can support your farmers all winter long!
The Neighborhood Roots farmers markets are moving inside to the greenhouse at Bachman’s on Lyndale this winter.
Join vendors from Fulton, Kingfield and Nokomis farmers markets to stock up on produce, meats, cheese and eggs, along with breakfast and lunch, packaged foods, canned goods and handmade crafts.
Spend your grocery dollars directly with our produce farmers to buy fresh greens, radishes, cabbage, mushrooms, winter squash, carrots, beets, potatoes, onions and other storage crops. Stock your freezer with pasture-raised pork, beef, chicken, and lamb from Driftless Hills Farm, Johnson Family Pastures, Dancing the Land Farm and Braucher’s Sunshine Harvest Farm. And don’t forget to pick up eggs from Braucher’s and Brand Farms. Matt Oxford from Wild Run Salmon will have wild-caught Alaskan salmon. Visit Lovetree and Cosmic Wheel Creamery for farmstead cheese. For apples visit Havlicek’s Orchard, Mary Dirty Face Farm and Brand Farms. Pick up micro greens from Great Northern Microgreens, and purchase a grow kit so you can grow your own at home. Dancing the Land and Whetstone Farm will be bringing wool yarn from their flocks of sheep.
Stock your pantry with granola, lacto-fermented vegetables, honey, maple cream, fruit leathers, maple syrup, jams, pickles, and sauerkraut.
Pick up a cup of coffee from Wildflyer Coffee, and don’t forget to buy beans from both Wildflyer and Cafe Palmira. Enjoy pastries and doughnuts (including vegan options) from Bakery Box and Sunstreet Breads, and Arie from Northern Fires Pizza will be serving up a surprise (it won't be pizza).
As far as handmade crafts, look for pottery, bird feeders, hand-knit goods and toys and accessories for dogs and cats.
Grab a drink from the bar where all proceeds support Neighborhood Roots farmers markets, and enjoy music by both Steve West and the Northern Stars and Matt Yetter.
A huge thanks to the generous support from our sponsors, Book Club Restaurant, Hero, Nicollet Ace Hardware, and the Kamie Augustine Team.
Neighborhood Roots indoor winter markets
Where: Bachman's Garden Center, 6010 Lyndale Ave.
When: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, Feb. 8 and March 14
Fall Bake Off Winners Announced!
Congratulations to the winners of our Fall Bake Off series! Special thanks to all the bakers who submitted their favorite autumn treats, as well as everyone who purchased a sample plate and voted for their favorites. This fundraiser helped support all three of the Neighborhood Roots markets, Kingfield Farmers Market, Fulton Farmers Market and Nokomis Farmers Market. Our mission is to bring neighbors together to buy, eat and learn about local food. Thank you for your support!
Heading over to Fulton neighborhood, the winner is Megan Borgert-Spaniol with Pumpkin Snickerdoodles followed by Sarah's Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake. Looks like Fulton folks really appreciated the incorporation of autumn produce into the entries. Great work, bakers.
Last but not least, our Kingfield tasters ranked Lee Watkin's Apple Delight Bars at the top! It was a squeaky close race with Laura's Apple Fritters and Dave's Pecan Pie Bars. That caramel apple drizzle might have cinched the deal. Simply delightful work, everyone!
If you are inspired by our contestants, head over to your neighborhood farmers market to pick up ingredients for your next adventure in seasonal baking. You will find fresh apples, pumpkins, honey, maple syrup and more to make this fall extra sweet and delicious. Share your favorite recipes with us on Instagram (@neighborhoodrootsmn) or on the market pages on Facebook (@kingfieldmarket @fultonfarmersmarket @nokomismarket).
Want to know what's happening at the market? Sign up for our newsletter! Just fill out the form to the right of this blog post. Love your market? Become a volunteer or donor today! The markets cannot happen without awesome neighbors like you.