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Waunakee farmer seeks village support to relaunch Saturday market
Summary
Nick Staple asked the Waunakee Village Board for a small, nominal contribution to relaunch the Waunakee Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, outlining vendor and site changes and agreeing to provide a $10,000 budget breakdown for the board to review at the next meeting.
Nick Staple, representing Salaney Farms and the Waunakee Farmers Market, told the Waunakee Village Board the market has moved to Saturday mornings at a new site on Waterwheel Drive and that he is seeking a modest village contribution to support a relaunch.
Staple said the market is now producer-only, requires vendor insurance and has increased vendor standards. “We’ve got space for about 30 vendors,” he said, adding that eight vendors have signed so far and they are “chasing 2 more.” He described new participants including a flower farm, a young vegetable grower and a high-school vendor launching a sweet-corn business.
Staple outlined preliminary costs already incurred: “We spent about $2,000 in just creating the sign” and about $500 for printed flyers. He said additional funds would be used this season for boosted social-media ads, performers and event promotion to help make the market self-sustaining once it is established.
Board member Nyla Frey asked for specifics about how the money would be spent; Staple agreed to draft a detailed budget. Chair requested a $10,000 breakdown and asked the board to review Staple’s budget at the next meeting.
Why it matters: the relaunch aims to strengthen local food and small-business activity, increase foot traffic in the area and formalize vendor standards the presenter said were missing previously.
The board did not take a funding vote that night; Staple said he would return with a formal budget and usage plan for the board’s consideration at the next meeting.
