Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Farmers Market topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves new farmers market contract; residents question local vendor access and SNAP participation
Summary
Council approved a contract with Fresh Market NJ LLC to operate the Roberto Manan Farmers Market in a 3–2 vote; residents at the meeting urged the borough to ensure local vendors and SNAP benefits are accommodated after officials indicated Madawan-registered businesses would pay no fee under the new arrangement.
The Matawan Borough Council voted to award a contract to Fresh Market NJ LLC for organization and management of the Roberto Manan Farmers Market (Resolution 25-04-18) on April 15, passing the measure despite two "no" votes from Councilpersons Suzanne Reynolds and Charles Ross.
Councilperson Charles Ross expressed concern about the vendor selection process during the roll call, saying, "I'm going to go no because I think that was a a biased vote and it was already predetermined what was going to happen." The motion nevertheless passed (recorded votes: Councilperson Dina Gun yes; Steven Russell yes; Suzanne Reynolds no; Charles Ross no; Mayor yes).
During public comment resident Abby Burke asked whether the new vendor would allow local residents and hobby vendors to participate and whether the market would support SNAP/food‑assistance benefits, which she said were important to low‑income families. "If they don't offer that and they're not offering the ability for local vendors to come in ... I just guess it's disappointing," Burke said, adding that many local sellers operate informally and help local nonprofit drives and school programs.
Borough officials responded that Madawan-registered businesses would have no fee to participate under the new vendor arrangement and that the borough would ask the vendor whether it can legally permit unlicensed hobby vendors or accept SNAP benefits. The council did not record a definitive vendor response at the meeting.
Why it matters: the farmers market is a visible community program with direct effect on small vendors, food access and local economic activity. Changes to the market operator and vendor rules may alter who can sell locally and whether low-income residents can purchase fresh food with SNAP benefits.
The council approved the contract despite recorded objections and with a pledge from officials to seek clarification from the vendor on local participation rules and SNAP acceptance. No formal amendment to the award was made at the meeting.
