The Farmers Market fee fiasco
This week, Sonoma’s City Council took up an appeal by council member Gary Edwards, who objected to the fee charged the Tuesday night Farmers Market. He was not objecting because he felt the fee was too large; his objection was that the fee was too small.
The fee for the Farmers Market is set by the city’s Community Services and Environmental Commission (CSEC). In its recent action, the CSEC lowered the fee by about $3,500 per year in order to accommodate Sonoma County Food Action Plan (FAP) goals in providing access to fresh produce to those with lower incomes. The FAP was supported by the city council in a 2014 resolution. The fee reduction was intended to support an EBT (food stamps) market match program and to reduce farmer stall fees so that their prices could be lowered and their produce made more affordable to a wider spectrum of buyers. It was not a “sweetheart” deal; rather in accord with County programs, an attempt to broaden the base of consumers at the market.
Predictably, the meeting brought forth a lot of citizen comment, much of it irrelevant to the appeal. There’s no shortage of opinion about the Tuesday night market; some people feel it’s too commercial, others like it just the way it is. Some feel it’s too crowded and too loud, others enjoy the party atmosphere. But all these opinions were outside the scope of the appeal, which was about the fee to use the Plaza.
When the Tuesday night Farmers Market comes up for review next year, opinions about its style, size, vendors and all that will be legitimate, and that’s the proper forum for such a discussion. But it’s important to keep in mind that the current market’s management has been providing what the previous City Council requested, and has not been making things up as it goes along. Varying opinions about the market exist, but a reevaluation should wait until the current agreement is near its expiration.
As to the upholding of the appeal, we think it was shortsighted. A $3,500 reduction would not have sent the City of Sonoma to the poor-house, but it could have helped our community address impacts of income inequality that makes the organic produce at the market too expensive for many. It could have also encouraged bringing more farmers and their local produce to the market. The CSEC was implementing a sound, city-supported food policy, not simply giving lip-service to making better food available to more people. We applaud their effort, and conversely are disappointed by the City Council’s lack of vision.
SUN Editorial Board
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Opinions , everybody has one . A lot of people enjoy the heck out of the market . It was quite the big decision to allow wine sales in the last few years . I don’t think there has been many alcohol related problems . The prepared food vendors always look busy . I for one , purchase a minimal amount of produce . ” Organic ” doesn’t come cheap . The farmers work pretty hard at this . If they can get the prices that make them profitable , and people pay it , I have no objection . The party atmosphere is what brings a lot of people in . Many of them enjoy the lawn and entertainment , and may not spend a dime . I doubt adjusting the fee will translate to lower prices . I think every available stall place gets sold every year . so , it’s stiff competition .Good item ,good info . Thanks . P.S. Maybe you could post what the individual vendors are charged for their space .