Milford council discusses expansion, location and vendor rules for farmers market

City staff and councilors discussed proposed updates to the Milford Farmers Market rules and regulations during the Committee of the Whole on March 4, including a new park location at 5 Points, expanded vendor eligibility and operating hours; council deferred final decisions to the Parks & Recreation Committee.

City Manager Gunderson said the city is considering moving the market from the back area near the dog park into the visible park space at 5 Points to increase visibility and vendor growth. He told council the draft rules expand eligible products beyond produce to handcrafted items and baked goods and suggested allowing downtown Milford businesses to sell from booths as a way to connect market traffic to local retailers and restaurants. “When I think of farmers markets, I don’t think of only produce. It’s unique vendors that have handcrafted items,” Gunderson said.

Council members debated frequency: the draft calls for the market on the second and fourth Saturdays, but several members argued for a consistent weekly schedule if staffing and vendor availability can be solved. Discussion covered staff overtime and set-up burdens, the possibility of volunteer support from the Parks & Rec Committee, and whether the city should continue providing matching tents or require vendors to bring their own. One councilor noted that many regional markets do not provide set-up service and that expanding the market will likely exceed the city’s existing tent inventory.

Gunderson said the hours were amended to 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the draft and that licensing and inspection requirements largely mirror last year. The item was forwarded to the Parks & Recreation Committee for redline review and recommendations; council did not vote on the rules at this meeting.