“A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY”

Town of CaryAgricultural Park &

The Western Wake Farmers Market2010©

Agenda

• Introducing the Western Wake Farmers Market

• Co-Location with the Planned Agricultural Park• Building for a Sustainable Future Growth

Potential and Next Steps

Western Wake Farmers MarketA 501(c)3 Corporation

Growers Only MarketAverage 550 visitors every Saturday

34 vendors and growing

Western Wake Farmers Market

WWFM Location

(Carpenter Village Mktplace)

Agricultural Park Location

Our Goal: Local Food & Education

• Non-profit with a commitment to the community and a grass roots start

• High quality local vendors• Weekly Educators & Entertainment• Newsletter reach out to 1800 people

Our mission is for all people in our community to become educated about and benefit from locally grown food. Our aim is to help all walks of life, from the farmers to the local community members to those less fortunate who might need assistance through the local food bank.

WWFM Economics

• Vendor Revenue per Saturday: $20,000• Average per visitor: $30-$40• Annual average: $700,000 • Jobs created:

– 1 for WWFM– 8 vendors hire part time support– And lots of volunteers!

Dollars stay in our

community!

WWFM Program Jewels

• Farmer Food Share Program Close to 4000 lbs of fresh food collected in 2010

• EBT/DEBIT Credit Program Approaching $10000 in spend (started June 26, 2010)

• Special Events:– Opening Day: 1400 people– Craft Fair: 1200 people

WWFM partners

Agenda

• Introducing the Western Wake Farmers Market

• Co-Location with the Planned Agricultural Park• Building for a Sustainable Future Growth

Potential and Next Steps

Cary’s Gateway to Health & Heritage

WWFM

Agricultural Park

• Perfectly located in the center of recreation and land preservation

• Central to planned confluence of greenways• Instant Attraction WWFM customers will follow to co-

location

Synergies that Expand Goals of the Master Plan

• Fits & expands TOC Fit Community designation• Environmental stewardship• Unique amenity for Cary • Educates the community• Decidedly local & sustainable• Built-in audience

40% of WWFM shoppers

come with the whole family

Imagine … Community Garden

• Great synergy with the farmers market

• Tie into local schools• Community members

could sponsor a plot• Tie in with Farm to

School program

Sponsor a garden plot

Imagine … Education

• Composting Center• CSA (Community Supported

Agriculture) drop site• Green events to promote

sustainability• Track out camps with a

food/farm focus• “Little Farmers” program

(camp or weekend)One special

educator appearance per week at the WWFM

Imagine … Special Events

• Farm to Fork Event• Taste of Cary location• Health or Holiday Fair• Tomatopalooza• Farm DAZE• Music Festival & Community

Pig Pickin• Start/end point for local 5K and

fun runs

1200 people at the WWFM

Craft Fair

Imagine … Kids & Seniors

• Take away: seeds, plantings to encourage home gardening

• Birthday parties & Field Trips• Kids fit races• Scavenger hunts• Kids yoga• Caretaking of the community

garden

• Seniors are seeking out local food and healthy living

• Learn & teach seasonal cooking

• Learn & teach how to grow their own food

• Garden Club meet-up• Tai Chi or yoga for seniors

Agenda

• Introducing the Western Wake Farmers Market

• Co-Location with the Planned Agricultural Park• Building for a Sustainable Future Growth

Potential and Next Steps

WWFM Growth Potential

• Operate a year round farmers’ market on Saturday mornings

• Operate a seasonal weekday afternoon market• Maximum capacity of 100 vendors (current

vendors 34)• Weekly educators to bring knowledge about

food and environment to our customers

WWFM requirements

• Long-term lease for farmers’ market days

• Locked Storage• Signage• Restroom facilities

(public)• Electricity• Running water

• Space for a maximum of 100 vendors in a 10x10 space

• Adequate parking• Public Transportation

WWFM proposal

• WWFM in partnership with Cherry Huffman Architects will design and build an outdoor structure for the farmers’ market

• Town of Cary to provide a long-term lease of the land (through a grant to a non-profit)

• WWFM will apply for grants and raise money for building costs

• Town of Cary to build park restroom facilities & facilitate sustainable parking lot

Next Steps

• Next steps for Town of Cary• Next steps for WWFM

Questions

Contact us at:

Juliann ZoetmulderPresident WWFM

jzoetmulder@gmail.com919-6050656

“A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY”

Presentation for the Town of Cary2010©