Help Support Riverhead Market
Donation protected
The Riverhead Farmer's Market began back in February of 2014 when there was very little fresh food and not much of a connection to local producers & artisans in Downtown Riverhead. Empty retail spaces lined the streets and the community was in need for a change. A couple of local food pioneers (Holly Browder & Ray Pickersgill) responded and soon kicked off what became known as one of the busiest winter markets on Long Island.
Since that Winter, nearly 4 years ago, the Riverhead Farmers' Market relocated, battled operational struggles, and has since, moved back to its original, founded space. But, the constant Market struggles remain: the Winter Market faces high rents for an indoor space that is used only 1 day a week for 4-5 months. The Riverhead BIDMA took on the Winter Market financing and operations over the last few years, but ultimately, these costs are too high, and the financial burden placed on them has become too great.
This year the market was in danger of closing for good, until Bernadette Martin of LI Greenmarkets Inc. stepped in. With over 10 years of experience running farmers markets with her small non-profit organization, some venders felt Bernadette could take on this community project and make it better than even before. The LI Greenmarket Inc. organization works to provide regional local food access to communities across Long Island through Farmers markets, community and school gardens, and other Food System Healthcare initiaves to support the collective health of the island, and provide opportunity for local farmers and food producers.
But now we need YOUR HELP. The 2017 Riverhead Winter Farmers Market now has a space for market and someone to run it! We are ALMOST there. NOW we need your help to make this weekly community gathering sustainable and viable. We are asking for any amount of $ , big or small, to help pay the rent & utilities on this location that is not covered by the vendor fees (which are already high!).
LI Greenmarket Inc. will host fundraisers & events throughout the season, work with local corporate sponsors, and even apply for grants for future funding. But for now, we need some help to get us started and up and running for 2017.
Continuing this Farmers Market is very important for the community of Riverhead- especially during the winter months. The market serves as gathering place, between the forks, to help support local farmers and artisans, as well as provides fresh food for the community and its visitors.
We thank you for any donation you can afford, and we promise we won't let Riverhead down.
Since that Winter, nearly 4 years ago, the Riverhead Farmers' Market relocated, battled operational struggles, and has since, moved back to its original, founded space. But, the constant Market struggles remain: the Winter Market faces high rents for an indoor space that is used only 1 day a week for 4-5 months. The Riverhead BIDMA took on the Winter Market financing and operations over the last few years, but ultimately, these costs are too high, and the financial burden placed on them has become too great.
This year the market was in danger of closing for good, until Bernadette Martin of LI Greenmarkets Inc. stepped in. With over 10 years of experience running farmers markets with her small non-profit organization, some venders felt Bernadette could take on this community project and make it better than even before. The LI Greenmarket Inc. organization works to provide regional local food access to communities across Long Island through Farmers markets, community and school gardens, and other Food System Healthcare initiaves to support the collective health of the island, and provide opportunity for local farmers and food producers.
But now we need YOUR HELP. The 2017 Riverhead Winter Farmers Market now has a space for market and someone to run it! We are ALMOST there. NOW we need your help to make this weekly community gathering sustainable and viable. We are asking for any amount of $ , big or small, to help pay the rent & utilities on this location that is not covered by the vendor fees (which are already high!).
LI Greenmarket Inc. will host fundraisers & events throughout the season, work with local corporate sponsors, and even apply for grants for future funding. But for now, we need some help to get us started and up and running for 2017.
Continuing this Farmers Market is very important for the community of Riverhead- especially during the winter months. The market serves as gathering place, between the forks, to help support local farmers and artisans, as well as provides fresh food for the community and its visitors.
We thank you for any donation you can afford, and we promise we won't let Riverhead down.
Organizer
Lucy Senesac
Organizer
Riverhead, NY
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