It's Farmer's Market Week in Minneapolis with special events planned throughout the city's 19 markets and mini-markets.
WCCO’s Laura Oakes spoke with Minneapolis Downtown Council President and CEO Steve Cramer about one in particular that is still finding its footing after the COVID pandemic and unrest following the police killing of George Floyd two years ago, the Thursday market on Nicollet Mall.
Laura Oakes: I know that the city has fabulous farmer's markets all over the place, but the downtown one that used to be such a big, wonderful thing on Thursdays really seems to be a dud this year, according to a lot of people who have been hoping that it was going to get better. So I wanted to ask you about that and, and if there are any plans to improve it or, or what's going on?
Steve Cramer: Well, our perspective is that it is what it is. It's the vendors that are interested in being out in downtown on those Thursdays and we're very happy that they are. It's a festive time for at least that block that has vendors on it. And every third Thursday, we kind of expand it to have additional activities in addition to the farmers and craft vendors who are part of the market so far. We certainly hope that it will continue into the future, but for now we are happy to present it as it is, and hope that people enjoy it as part of our overall downtown reanimation process.
Oakes: What happened to the old way that the farmer's market was where the blocks were filled? There were dozens of farmers, tons of fruits and vegetables. Where now you can barely find a fruit or vegetable there.
Cramer: Well, I think COVID happened. Overall for sure. And also there has been a proliferation of markets throughout Minneapolis, so that farmers and growers have multiple opportunities to sell their product. We also have, as you know, a downtown that is repopulating in terms of the workday population. But still that's a work in progress. And so the kind of market opportunity isn't as great as it has been in the past, certainly in the pre-COVID period. So all that combines to lead to what we have, and we are happy to present and continue to think that it, along with all the other kind of activation and vibrancy strategies that we're pursuing along with many, many partners, are part of helping to bring downtown back from this really tumultuous couple year period that we've all lived through.
Minneapolis city officials say last year’s Minneapolis farmer's markets brought in more than $10 million in sales for more than 450 local vendors.
Related
