The 2020 Season @ West Side Farmers Market

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This is perhaps one of the most exciting but also important letters I have had the privilege of writing in the nine years I have been affiliated with the West Side Farmers Market(WSFM).  

Since its inception, WSFM has been a volunteer based operation. The Market literally started off by selling items in the neighborhood on a coffee shop driveway with tv trays for vending stalls. The need and desire for a local farmers market to bolster the food economy was apparent!

 A  town meeting was held in 2012; all were welcome! A determination was made as to just exactly what the community wanted, and a plan to launch an official market was hatched. 

Thankfully, a lovely family bought the old Dairy Queen on the corner of the main drag and turned it into a friendlier place. The Icy Cup- our venue was born! WSFM has grown into a bustling market, featuring over 40 vendors each season, and an array of goods as diverse as our vendors!  

Your presence each week positively impacts the whole community. Supporters of the market like you are the life-blood of WSFM! The relationship being reciprocal, creates a lovely system that can perpetuate permanently when each community member plays their own important and vital part, especially as food insecurity rises.   A local farmers market is an essential component of your neighborhood.

Your “petite but powerful” farmers market as dubbed by Food and Wine Magazine, exists for three main reasons: 

• to support the local food economy by providing food security to your neighbors 
• a platform for farmers and cottage foodies to make their living selling delicious local crops and prepared foods
• serve as an inclusive community building venue that promotes music, the arts and agri-education  

It is our pleasure to announce that as of 2019 your WSFM is officially a 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization. You can be so proud to have grown this from such organic roots into what it is today!  

 Unfortunately, COVID-19 has greatly impacted how we are able to allow the farmers to vend their goods. The formatting will be completely altered, and social distancing will be the best case scenario for how your market will conduct business this season. Social distancing limits the number of folks able to attend each week, therefore slashing transactions.  WSFM  has been on such a roll, this is definitely a hard pill to swallow. The ability to carry out the mission to create a happy and healthy west side is in jeopardy. 

Thank goodness you care about WSFM existing and operating at its fullest capacity! You create the hope that this market season will turn out to be something magical in spite of COVID-19 setbacks.  

WSFM graciously accepts the generous, tax deductible donation you will send in today! Your precious funds will give the market the needed boost to accommodate for the steep yet necessary dips in revenue in order to protect us all.   

Not less, but more work has come of this unique situation. Your money will allow WSFM to continue to pay staff and allow for this crucial neighborhood institution to continue to exist in these uncertain times.

We are deeply humbled to be the recipient of your monetary support during this campaign. Thank you so much.

In Kind,

Lindsay Bejblik

Board President WSFM  

P.S.  Opening day of the Market is June 6, 2020.  See you there neighbor!