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Oxford farmers market leaders tell commissioners weekend market draws thousands, seek infrastructure and MOA
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Summary
Wendy Tatum told the Oxford Board of Commissioners the Saturday market has drawn 4,291 visitors, 62 registered vendors and average daily attendance of 498; she described senior voucher and food-distribution programs, a $5,000 matching grant, and asked the board in August for an updated memorandum of agreement and utilities support for a permanent structure.
Wendy Tatum, representing the Farmers Market Organization, told the Oxford Board of Commissioners on July 7 that the Saturday market has grown into a regional draw and a community hub. "As of Saturday, we have had 4,291 visitors," she said, and reported 62 registered vendors and an average daily attendance of 498.
Tatum said some vendors have seen sizable business gains: "One of our agricultural producers stated that they have doubled their Saturday sales," she said, and another reported a 50% increase in Oxford sales and a 25% increase countywide. She said increased vendor sales have enabled donations back into local programs, including a partnership with the county aging council that has purchased roughly $3,600 of produce and delivered more than 1,500 pounds of food to residents age 60 and older.
The presentation laid out several tied initiatives: the market’s inclusion in a pilot for senior nutrition vouchers (the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program) that issues $50 vouchers; three county vendors are approved to accept the senior vouchers. Tatum said the market secured an $8,500 grant for the "Farm to Fridge" program, has spent approximately $3,180 to date, and recently received a $5,000 matching grant to double the value available to seniors.
Tatum described outreach and partnership work with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, local businesses, the Food Bank of Eastern North Carolina and other community organizations. She said PlaceR AI data indicate attendees travel from across the region, sometimes up to 250 miles, and that the market has become a weekly gathering place.
On operations, Tatum told the board the market currently runs through Oct. 25 and operates largely on a zero cash budget; she credited pro bono legal and accounting assistance for establishing the market’s nonprofit structure. She also described plans to pursue EBT/SNAP acceptance: "We are working on the application to become an EBT market," Tatum said, but noted certification and equipment timelines can take six to eight months each.
Tatum asked the board to consider an updated memorandum of agreement and potential infrastructure support in August — specifically options for electricity, water and a permanent covered structure to address heat and safety concerns.
Commissioners and attendees praised the market’s community benefits. Several asked operational questions about voucher distribution and vendor certification, and reiterated support for the organization’s future requests. The board did not take a formal vote at the meeting; Tatum said she will return in August with a formal request for an updated memorandum of agreement and infrastructure considerations.
