Lenoir County Farmer’s Market Revitalization

1. Lenoir County Farmer’s Market Revitalization Community Based Food Systems

2. Lenoir County Farmers Market Revitalization Project Goals • Establish the Lenoir County Farmer’s Market as a “destination” place to be • Create opportunities for farmers to sell direct to consumers in cities or neighborhoods where access to fresh, local produce is limited. • Recruit local food producers to serve on the Farmer’s Market Advisory Board

3. Lenoir County Farmers Market Revitalization Project Goals • Develop stronger farm and community connections in order to better meet the demand for local produce. • Make Farmer’s Market improvements and upgrades to facility , structurally and aesthetically • Procure a seasonal part time Market Manager • Revitalize Farmer’s Market Rules and

4. Lenoir County Farmer’s Market Revitalization Project Partners Leaders Tammy Kelly, Lenoir County Extension Director Mark Seitz, Area Agent Commercial Horticulture and Marketing, NC Cooperative Extension Pat Jenkins, Lenoir County Farmer’s Market Manager Community Partners Walter Adams, NC A&T State University Agriculture Technician Ben Knight & Vivian Howard – co-owners The Chef & The Farmer Restaurant Adrian King – Pride of Kinston Downtown Economic Development Chairperson Laura Lee Sylvester – Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce, President Lucy Marsten – Lenoir County Tourism Director Steve Putnam – Putnam Family Farms, Kinston, NC Warren Brothers – Brothers Farms, LaGrange, NC Linda Brandt – Lenoir Memorial Hospital

5. “What’s Cooking at the Farmer’s Market?” Project Results • The Lenoir County Farmer’s Market enjoyed four-fold growth in its 30-week 2010 season • The Community-Based Food System Team, focused on looking for ways to support the NC 10% Buy Local Foods Initiative, and, • Helped to establish a Farmer’s Market Advisory Committee of key community leaders to set new policies for the Market, thus prompting area food producers to participate in the Market.

6. “What’s Cooking at the Farmer’s Market?” Project Results • A Pride of Kinston Façade Grant matched by Lenoir County provided basic landscaping and repairs. • The resulting increase from 4 to 15 vendors prompted County government to contract a 16 hours/week Market manager to manage site operations, monitor members, and recruit new vendors • Two series of Cooking Demonstrations added to the Market customer base while teaching the public to cook and eat healthy and purchase from the Lenoir County Farmer’s Market • The increased activity made obvious the need for major renovations; the parking lot’s condition deterred some potential customers and is a liability for vendors. The vendors, meeting with Market management, have expressed their appreciation for the new Market management, and asked unanimously for an additional market day.

7. Lenoir County Farmer’s Market Revitalization “What’s Cooking at the Farmer’s Market?” Demo #1--Bill Tsao stir fried everything at the market! Allowed the children to pick out “mystery vegetables” to cook and taste!

10. “What’s Cooking at the Farmer’s Market?” Lessons Learned • Fostering community relationships is critical, especially within the general area • As the Farmer’s Market customer and vendor numbers increase so do the needs of the Market • Marketing the market is essential! Providing community activities that create additional audiences is a great way to increase customer base. • Support of County Government will be a great asset.