Agenda Item 8AAGENDA ITEM # 8A
AUGUST 13, 2012
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: Proposal from DIG Local to accept responsibility and maintenance
of the Mid -Week Market
SUBMITTED BY: Timmy Johnson, Recreation & Special Events Director
DATE: July 27, 2012
BACKGROUND: The City Commission approved a proposal from the Cultural Arts
and Recreation Committee to start a weekly Farmers Market in
Bull Park. The Market has been going well for over two years.
On July 24, DIG Local presented the Cultural Arts and Recreation
Committee with a proposal to accept responsibility for the Mid-
week Market. The Committee voted to relinquish their
responsibility for the Market and recommend transferring control
of the Market to DIG Local.
DIG Local would be responsible for completing a long -term
contract and providing insurance. Staff would remain involved
with the vendor selection process.
BUDGET: There is no budget for this action.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Approve the proposal from DIG Local to accept responsibility and
maintenance of the Mid -Week Market
ATTACHMENTS: Proposal from DIG Local
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER:
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AGENDA ITEM # 8A
AUGUST 13, 2012
OUR INTENTION
We are providing the following proposal in order to keep with a committee -
recognized process of accepting responsibility and maintenance of the
Atlantic Beach Mid -Week Market.
Our organization, Dig Local, first began to consider assuming the task of
this weekly event after a request from Jeffery Wright, the market's founder.
With our previous project, a community garden by Dutton Island Gardeners,
approaching a new chapter in the hands of its plot- owners, our committee
was ready to accept the challenge of a new assignment.
The evolution of our group has led to the creation of a not - for - profit based
on the belief that access to good nutritious food is a human right. Our
goal is to make this right a reality in the lives of our neighbors through
community gardens, farmers' markets, and accessible education.
The Mid -Week Market fits perfectly into our mission and we would relish the
chance to make this event a noteworthy experience in the cultural offerings
of Atlantic Beach.
Our goal is to build upon the work that Jeff has put into the market over the
past couple of years. We recognize that Bull Memorial Park is not a large
area and it is not our intention to "fill" the area with vendors. Our heart is
in quality, not quantity. That being said, we wish to allow multiple vendors
(4 -5 food, 4 -5 goods) to participate, not including a weekly artist, live
entertainment, and also a welcome table.
AGENDA ITEM # 8A
AUGUST 13, 2012
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Dig Local is a not - for - profit organization founded upon the idea that access
to good nutritious food is a human right. By way of community gardens,
farmers' markets, and accessible education, Dig Local works to provide
communities of all economic levels a choice when faced with the ills of the
modern food system.
The Atlantic Beach Mid -Week Market, a project by Dig Local, would
continue under that ideology also acknowledging that locally grown, non -
processed and organic food is a necessity when pursuing a healthy lifestyle.
10
Considering the current popularity of farmers' markets and also the
existence of several successful markets already filling the weekends
(The Green Market in Neptune Beach and the fresh produce market at
RAM under the Fuller Warren Bridge), The Atlantic Beach Mid -Week
Market, a project by Dig Local, would continue to be held on Wednesday
afternoons, 4PM -7PM, with a change in hours during the winter season to
accommodate the shorter days.
Taking advantage of the current location's easy access and family friendly
setting, the Atlantic Beach Mid -Week Market would remain at Bull Park in
Atlantic Beach, Florida. Unless there is drastic growth in attendance, we
do not currently have a reason to move the market's location. As we are
seeking to attract a steady and loyal base of vendors, participation in the
market will remain a free membership for the foreseeable future.
AGENDA ITEM # 8A
AUGUST 13, 2012
PMA
The Mid -Week Market, a project by Dig Local, is open to all of Atlantic
Beach and the surrounding area.
• Deliver fresh, local and nutritious foods to Atlantic Beach residents
(Made available by local small farmers, vendors, and small businesses)
• Create a family friendly mid -week community event that features local
vendors, art, live entertainment
AGENDA ITEM # 8A
AUGUST 13, 2012
Dig Local
Email: dig @beacheshabitat.org
Facebook: facebook .com /duttonislandgardeners
Website: diglocal.org
Dig Local Committee
• Brittany Norris I Committee Chair
912 856 3067 - brittmarie.norris @yahoo.com
• Kody Hanavan I Treasurer
303 -588 -2813
• Genevieve Fletcher I Fundraising Director
904 - 465 -2293 - genevieve4e @gmail.com
• Sara Miles - English I Garden Manager
386- 690 -4941 - sarakme @hotmail.com
• Chris Himel I Volunteer Coordinator
904.534.5921 - chimel42 @gmail.com
• Scot and Laurie Walmer I Resident /Community Advisors
sawjaxbch @yahoo.com
• Dezmond Waters I Community Outreach Director
904 - 853 -6033
AGENDA ITEM # 8A
AUGUST 13, 2012
According to the CDC, more than one -third of adults in the United States
are obese. They also acknowledge that heart disease, stroke, type 2
diabetes and other serious medical conditions have been linked to obesity.
In 2010, the CDC found the state of Florida to have an obesity rate of
26.6 %, not far behind the nation's average. This trend is not terminal.
Through proper nutrition and an active lifestyle, the obesity epidemic can
slowly and surely be reversed.
SOLUTION THE
We believe farmers' markets are among the projects that provide access
to good food and encourage healthier habits. These markets connect
consumers with fresh, and more often than not organic, food that is free of
the over - processing that plagues most products in average supermarkets.
Even the ability to purchase free -range eggs is a significant opportunity.
Recent studies show that the nutritional value of free -range eggs versus
caged eggs was greater. It's the small things that help make a difference.
Aside from the obvious benefit of access to good food, farmers' markets
can encourage the surrounding residents to get outside and engage in
a communal activity. It is also a catalyst for getting people to exercise,
considering that a number of attendees walk or bike to the market. These
markets, with successful placement, even have the ability to contribute to
local culture by providing an arena for local musicians and artisans. They
also affect the surrounding economy by keeping consumer's dollars local.
It is our belief that a farmers' market has the potential to do great good for
the community in more ways than one.
NOTES
1. http: / /www.cdc.gov /obesity /data /adult.html/
2. http://articies.mercola.com/ sites /articles/ archive / 2012 /03/19 /caged -vs- free - range-
chicken- eggs.aspx
AGENDA ITEM # 8A
AUGUST 13, 2012
POLICIES TL TD C BEACH MID-WEEK MARKET MID-WEE
AS SUGGESTED BY DIG LOCAL
LOCATION: Bull Memorial Park, Atlantic Beach, Florida
Vendors will set up tables at assigned spots on the open field in the south
part of the park as well as the pavers that circle the large palm tree.
MARKET DAY AND TIME: Wednesdays
Summer Hours: 4PM -7PM, Apr. 1 — Oct. 15
Winter Hours: 3:OOPM- 6:OOPM, Oct. 16 — Dec. 31, Feb. 1 — Mar. 31
VENDOR PARTICIPATION: Vendors must fill out an application to
participate in the AB Mid -Week Market. Applicants will be reviewed and
selected by Dig Local. Priority will also be given vendors that provide
products and services that are organic and healthy.
VENDOR REQUIREMENTS: As required by the policies of Arts in the Park,
vendors must present business license and insurance at least one week in
advance prior to participation
VENDOR FEE: There will currently be no charge to the vendors for market
participation. Vendors must provide their own tables and supplies.
MARKET WORKERS: The market will be supervised by Dig Local and their
network of volunteers. Arriving before and leaving after the market, Dig
Local's volunteers will help maintain and manage the event.
These duties will include helping vendors set -up at their specified locations,
manning a welcome table for the market, and reporting any emergencies to
the Atlantic Beach police department.
Dig Local is available to provide a status update of the market at the
monthly CARAC meetings.