Midtown Farmers Market opens May 4!

Posted April 11, 2013 at 12:03 pm

Miguel

Market welcomes Miguel Goebel as new manager

 

The Midtown Farmers Market and the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization are pleased to welcome Miguel Goebel as the new manager of the Midtown Farmers Market, which will begin its eleventh season of bringing fresh, local flavor to the community on Saturday, May 4.

“I am eager to collaborate with community members, local farmers and small businesses to continue the growth of the Midtown Farmers Market as an incredible asset to the communities of South Minneapolis and the Twin Cities,” said Miguel.

Miguel is a Longfellow neighborhood resident with a history and passion for working to expand community access to healthy and affordable foods. He is a graduate from the University of Minnesota, where he studied organic agriculture and Spanish. His experience, spanning local and international food systems, ranges from working with indigenous farmers in organic production to assisting small corner store owners in offering healthy, affordable produce. Prior to his new role as manager at the Midtown Farmers Market, Miguel was a grocery buyer at the Seward Coop and brings a wealth of skills and knowledge in the areas of organic production methods, farmers markets, customer service, purchasing, sales, and community outreach. When he is not working, Miguel enjoys gardening, the outdoors, living an active lifestyle and spending time with his family.

“We are very fortunate to have such a beautiful and unique gathering space in South Minneapolis, where people can come together to build relationships through the exchange of food and culture,” said Miguel. “I feel fortunate to be a part of this amazing farmers market.”

“We are very excited to welcome Miguel to the Midtown Farmers Market,” said Migdalia Loyola, a former market advisory committee member who served on the hiring committee. “He brings to the job multiple skills that will help the market continue to live to its mission of offering healthy, fresh foods for all. His prior experience in food retail and in local food justice nonprofits is the ideal combination for someone in this role.”

“We looked for a candidate who could manage and grow an outstanding farmers market,” said Eric Gustafson, CNO Executive Director. “We also need a visionary leader to advance our leadership role in food justice, building communities around food systems, and more. Miguel has it all. We are thrilled to welcome him.”

Midtown opens for the season on Saturday, May 4 at 8:00 a.m. This month expect to find beautiful bedding plants and seed starters, your favorite prepared foods and preserves, and neighbors you’ve been looking forward to reconnecting with all winter! The Midtown Farmers Market operates Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. during the month of May. Learn more about each week’s vendors and special events at www.midtownfarmersmarket.org.

 

Market bids farewell to Amy Behrens

The Midtown Farmers Market thanks Amy Behrens for her three and a half years as Market Manager. Amy will be with us until May 4th helping to train Miguel.  She will begin a graduate program in speech language pathology at the University of Iowa this fall after spending the summer working at Tuscarora Outfitters in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

“My years with the market have been rich and rewarding and I feel very fortunate to have had the chance to work with, learn from, and become a part of the market’s many communities,” says Amy. “I hope to say hello and goodbye to many of you on Opening Day and will come back to visit often!”

Give to the Market!

Since March, you have contributed $1700 to the market–thank you! 

 

Our goal is to reach $5000 before our 11th season opens on May 4, and we still have work to do. Your financial contribution supports our vision of a community-based food system that assures equitable access to healthy food. It also funds the fabulous programs that position us for continued success in a competitive and growing farmers market environment.

In 2013, we will continue working to make our vision a reality through new SNAP-EBT outreach efforts and by building on the vibrant mix of vendors, community organizations, activities and customers that makes up the market. We will promote healthy lifestyles by encouraging biking and walking to the market and promote our vendors through marketing trainings and monthly cooking demonstrations featuring individual vendors’ products.

Your contribution can support this work in many ways:

·         $35 promotes Midtown vendors through monthly market-sourced cooking demonstrations.

·         $50 provides equitable access to healthy food by funding a week’s SNAP-EBT processing fees.

·         $150 helps us communicate clearly with vendors by hiring an interpreter for our annual meeting.

·         $500 funds a new canopy tent and enables us to include more community participants ranging from local bike shops to composting experts on each market day.

Donate today and help us continue to provide healthy, accessible food and a neighborhood gathering place for our community.Whether you have been part of this community since the market started or just discovered us, we are grateful for your investment and thank you in advance for your contribution!

 

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