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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: ' I ` 1•..5 �fYl..!§ � .k �.�� . 0^Y1 1 w R + I ■ v ?w.. Y 7_ 4 4 7 No to 1 . N 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 f [ 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.