Welcome back local farmers, craftspeople, artists, and food producers! The market will also offer live music and have the Hennepin County Master Gardeners on hand to answer all your toughest gardening questions. On opening day, expect farm-raised meats, local honey, baked goods, jams, salsa, pickles, & artisan cheese. There will also be a large selection of bedding plants, heirloom vegetable starts, hanging baskets, and potted flowers available for spring planting. If the weather holds, our farmers are hoping to have tender greens, radishes, herbs, and other early season vegetables ready for market as well.
If you have not already heard, The Kingfield Farmers Market underwent big changes over the winter. After eight years of success and growth as a project of the Kingfield Neighborhood Association, the market became an independent non-profit organization in November. The market’s board believes the transition to independence will position the market for its next stage of growth over the coming years. The ultimate goal is to be recognized as Southwest Minneapolis’ premier farmers’ market and to generate the kind of traffic needed to fully support the high quality and diversity of vendors folks have come to expect at the market. Despite these changes at the organizational level, neighbors should nevertheless expect to find the same community-friendly environment in the parking lot of Fresenius Medical Care at 43rd and Nicollet as they have found in past seasons.The market’s independence coincides with a surge of interest in local and sustainably produced foods in Minneapolis and nationwide. Most notable for Minneapolis residents interested in a thriving local foods movement is Mayor R.T. Rybak’s Homegrown Minneapolis Initiative. This initiative aims to secure Minneapolis’ reputation as an innovative leader in food production and distribution by integrating and expanding the city’s role in engaging and promoting the local food scene. The Kingfield Farmers Market has been a key player in the initiative’s efforts on two fronts. First, the market has played a leading role in drafting the initiative’s recommendations as they relate to area farmers’ markets; second, the Kingfield Farmers Market is the spearhead of a group of market managers that has brought into focus many issues of importance to the long-term success of the city’s markets. In fulfilling its mission, the Kingfield Farmers’ Market will continue to seek opportunities to shape public policy around local and sustainable food production and issues related to farmers markets.
As a volunteer run, non-profit organization, the market’s success continues to be based upon the generous support of community businesses and residents. We rely upon the efforts of many dedicated individuals to get the market up and running, secure sponsorships, provide a wide range and diversity of expertise, and to allow the market to host the type of community gathering space that has made the market one of Kingfield’s key assets. There are always opportunities to give the market a hand. Whether by becoming a Friend of the Market, helping to distribute promotional flyers, sponsoring a market day, or spreading word of the market to friends and neighbors, there is always a task small enough or a job large enough for anyone’s interests. Stop by the market table on opening day to ask one of the market’s volunteers how you can help keep the market growing.Â
Contact: David Nicholson, Kingfield Farmers’ Market Board Chair, or 612-823-4550