Help Local Families and Farmers Hurt By Massive Budget Cuts

The Eastside Farmers’ Market is working to help families and farmers

There’s no disputing that Madison’s Eastside is packed with back-to-the-land era hippies, life long natural food advocates and many neighbors involved in food production and food security work. We support our farmers, care about where our food comes from and want a just, sustainable food system.

As the industrial food system continues to fray, we need to join together, help local farmers expand and build up our Eastside Farmers’ Market. Real, long term food security depends on thriving local farmers and strong markets where neighbors connect to the people who grow their food.

Many producers at local markets are facing a challenging season with USDA local food purchasing cuts and ever higher costs hurting the bottom line. Making matters worse, tight household budgets and cautious consumers mean sales may be low this season. As a community, we can help offset part of these losses and keep our precious farmers thriving by buying at least some of what they have left unsold at the end of the Market.

Until we reach our initial goal, we’ll split what we raise 50-50 between direct purchasing and investing in basic gear to increase foot traffic. If we surpass our initial target, everything raised after will pretty much all go to buying food from the vendors. If neighbors are especially generous, we could lower booth fees for next season and even contract in advance with farmers’ for wholesale scale production.

Food collected will be distributed by the Neighborhood House, Madison’s first community center. Neighborhood House is a community food hub for the Purpose Grown project distributing produce to other locations in the Bayview and near Southside neighborhoods. In collaboration with Crossroads Community Farm and Healthy Food For All, Neighborhood House staff not only feed thousands annually at their location but also facilitate distribution of many tons of fresh produce citywide every season.

Obviously, increasing foot traffic at the market is the other way we can increase farmers’ revenue and help them expand. Friends of the Eastside Farmers’ Market is committed to increasing amenities and activities at the EFM so more neighbors will come and make it their own.

We need the community to help us raise a small seed fund to expand basic equipment and services at the market this season. For example, we need to raise money specifically to do the following:

Create a shaded seating area

Two pop-up canopy tents and weights $250

Two folding tables and tablecloths $120

Twelve folding chairs $240

Popup waste containers $50

Garbage bags and cleaning supplies $50

Total $710

Create a kids’ activity tent

Two pop-up canopy tents and weights $250

Two folding tables and tablecloths $120

Five folding chairs $100

Activity Supplies $100

Total $570

Expand music and entertainment options

Pop-up canopy tent and weights $125

Folding tables and tablecloth $120

Four folding chairs $80

Amplified sound park permits $500

Money to pay performers $500

Total $1,325

Additional staff resources

Managing kids area $1000

Managing music and entertainment $1000

Promotion on the other side of East Wash $200

Off season planning and development $500

Total $2,700

Grand total $5,545

The current location at McPike Park is almost a blank slate just waiting for the community to color with our own special psychedelic rainbow chalk. In a neighborhood known for its vibrant summer festival culture, we need to show our Eastside Pride and transform our Market into something just as fun and exciting celebrating our farmers and the coolest neighborhood in town. (Maybe even the country).