“A Unique Opportunity” Town of Cary Agricultural Park & The Western Wake Farmers Market 2010©

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 Market A 501(c)3 Corporation Growers Only Market Average 550 visitors every Saturday 34 vendors and growing

Western Wake Farmers Market Agricultural Park Location WWFM Location (Carpenter Village Mktplace)

Our Goal: Local Food & Education 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. 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

Dollars stay in our community! 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 Agricultural Park WWFM 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

One special educator appearance per week at the WWFM 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 Zoetmulder President WWFM jzoetmulder@gmail.com 919-6050656

“A Unique Opportunity” Presentation for the Town of Cary 2010© “A Unique Opportunity”