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Vendors urge Greenfield to preserve gazebo Saturday market amid proposed shift to certified farmers market
Summary
Dozens of vendors told Greenfield City Council on Oct. 28 they fear a proposed transition to a certified farmers market would displace long-time Saturday vendors and sharply raise booth fees; vendors asked the council for transparency and a community meeting before any change.
Dozens of vendors and residents told the Greenfield City Council on Oct. 28 they want city leaders to preserve the long-running Saturday gazebo market and to hold community meetings before making any change.
"The rumor is that our current vendors will be replaced," said Silca Saavedra, a resident of more than 15 years who coordinates the Saturday market at the gazebo. "A certified farmers market has regulations, and most of these vendors here might not be able to participate." Saavedra asked the council to meet with vendors and explain any planned changes.
The concern drew repeated accounts from vendors who said the gazebo market is their principal source of income and a neighborhood tradition. "This market allows me to be there for my mom while still doing what I love," said Brenda Garcia Figueroa, owner of El Fricolito, who told the council that a fee increase she was quoted would represent a more than 300% jump compared with the current $25 charge.
Other vendors described practical barriers to a certified farmers market. Ray Baron, a Saturday vendor, said Greenfield issues only 19 permits and that he has been on a waiting list for two years with 27 people ahead of him; he said many current vendors would be unable to qualify for a certified-farmers-market permit or to absorb higher fees. Alan Reese, who has sold at the market for about 12 years, said the gazebo draws local customers and high-school foot traffic that other markets do not.
Speakers asked the council to consider alternatives such as scheduling a certified farmers market on a different day, moving it to a different location, or hosting it during an existing food-truck night. Several vendors said they would be willing to make reasonable operational changes but asked for clarity and participation in planning.
Council members responded that they had heard the public’s concerns and that they were open to further conversation. "You have opened my mind, and I want to apologize that I have not done my part to really understand what the gazebo is," Council Member Garcia said, adding that the council wants the market to reflect residents’ wishes.
The council did not take action on the market during the meeting. Vendors left with a request that city staff and council hold follow-up discussions with market organizers and affected vendors so that any changes would be publicly explained and negotiated.
