Market: A Real Blast
Two years ago we thought the first market day weather was probably as bad as it would ever get. It was cloudy and a cold wind blew and the temperature kept dropping as the day wore on. Today it's likely to be worse. The wind is already gusty, and sustained speeds are predicted to be 16 to 24 mph, with gusts to 33. Clouds will increase during the day, and the temperature now is around 40. We have nothing to sell today, but we plan to be there for the opening ceremonies at 9:00 and for whatever follows that. The market itself opens at 7:30.
Another event I want to be present for is the dedication of a plaque honoring Janis Bair, who was a long-time market vendor and also a board member and friend. She lost her battle with cancer last year, and her family suggested memorials to the farmer's market, and a good bit of money was donated. Her husband will be there today and Shane (or someone he recruited) will preside over the dedication.
After the market closes for the day, a meeting of members will be convened to vote on whether to retain the service that allows people to make card purchases at the market. For the past two years, the market accepted debit and credit cards, and Vision cards, the latter also known as SNAP cards or food stamps. This service was provided through the personal initiative and financial and time investment of the past president of the market board. Since he resigned, an unholy ruckus has broken out over whether the service continues or not, and, as the new president, lucky Shane gets to preside over it all. Everything would be a lot simpler if vindictiveness and selfishness were not part of the picture. Telling it like it is carries risks too, as everyone knows who has ever done so--even if you exercise great restraint by sticking only to strictly verifiable facts, or make it abundantly clear when you are expressing an opinion, and leave unsaid a flood of facts that would further support your opinion.
It seems obvious to us that the card service should continue. As a cashier in a major retail establishment, Hiromi sees every work day how much revenue comes in via cards. Simply lopping off that option for farmer's market customers seems ever-so-short-sighted, especially in light of the fact that this purchasing method will likely only grow as time goes on.
In addition to the above-mentioned vindictiveness, I believe another factor in evidence is disdain toward people on "food stamps." A few people can take debit and credit cards with a little device on their smart phones, and others do not sell food items covered by "food stamps" cards, so to agree to accept cards at the market does not affect everyone equally. To us, though, offering the service is clearly a benefit to our customers and, for the good of the vendors as a group also, the vote should come down on the side of continuing the service.
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After a very early spring last year, we all were pretty sure that we should have started our market season earlier than the middle of May, so we planned to be ready this year. The first day of market was set, way back in January, for the first Saturday in May. Big mistake. It's been the latest spring in a long time, and we had below freezing temps just yesterday, with snow and sleet the day before. I'm curious whether anyone will have any vegetables to bring.
**********************
Today is also the day for garage sales all over Partridge. Joel and Hilda's garage and basement is laden with many good things to sell, and Linda's garage will have some offerings as well, from various individuals. My teacher-neighbor, Chris, who is retiring this year, will have many of her schoolbooks for sale as well. She's setting up in one of the group sale locations--either the bus barn or King Street Center.
*********************
One of the big perks for not going to market is being able to sleep till a decent getting-up time on Saturday mornings. It didn't work out so well for me though. I forgot to turn off my weekend alarm, and it rang at 5:30. I was awake long before then, but gave up trying to go to sleep at that point. I had lots of time to pray for the market this way.
Another event I want to be present for is the dedication of a plaque honoring Janis Bair, who was a long-time market vendor and also a board member and friend. She lost her battle with cancer last year, and her family suggested memorials to the farmer's market, and a good bit of money was donated. Her husband will be there today and Shane (or someone he recruited) will preside over the dedication.
After the market closes for the day, a meeting of members will be convened to vote on whether to retain the service that allows people to make card purchases at the market. For the past two years, the market accepted debit and credit cards, and Vision cards, the latter also known as SNAP cards or food stamps. This service was provided through the personal initiative and financial and time investment of the past president of the market board. Since he resigned, an unholy ruckus has broken out over whether the service continues or not, and, as the new president, lucky Shane gets to preside over it all. Everything would be a lot simpler if vindictiveness and selfishness were not part of the picture. Telling it like it is carries risks too, as everyone knows who has ever done so--even if you exercise great restraint by sticking only to strictly verifiable facts, or make it abundantly clear when you are expressing an opinion, and leave unsaid a flood of facts that would further support your opinion.
It seems obvious to us that the card service should continue. As a cashier in a major retail establishment, Hiromi sees every work day how much revenue comes in via cards. Simply lopping off that option for farmer's market customers seems ever-so-short-sighted, especially in light of the fact that this purchasing method will likely only grow as time goes on.
In addition to the above-mentioned vindictiveness, I believe another factor in evidence is disdain toward people on "food stamps." A few people can take debit and credit cards with a little device on their smart phones, and others do not sell food items covered by "food stamps" cards, so to agree to accept cards at the market does not affect everyone equally. To us, though, offering the service is clearly a benefit to our customers and, for the good of the vendors as a group also, the vote should come down on the side of continuing the service.
**********************
After a very early spring last year, we all were pretty sure that we should have started our market season earlier than the middle of May, so we planned to be ready this year. The first day of market was set, way back in January, for the first Saturday in May. Big mistake. It's been the latest spring in a long time, and we had below freezing temps just yesterday, with snow and sleet the day before. I'm curious whether anyone will have any vegetables to bring.
**********************
Today is also the day for garage sales all over Partridge. Joel and Hilda's garage and basement is laden with many good things to sell, and Linda's garage will have some offerings as well, from various individuals. My teacher-neighbor, Chris, who is retiring this year, will have many of her schoolbooks for sale as well. She's setting up in one of the group sale locations--either the bus barn or King Street Center.
*********************
One of the big perks for not going to market is being able to sleep till a decent getting-up time on Saturday mornings. It didn't work out so well for me though. I forgot to turn off my weekend alarm, and it rang at 5:30. I was awake long before then, but gave up trying to go to sleep at that point. I had lots of time to pray for the market this way.
posted by Mrs. I (Miriam Iwashige) at
5:44 AM
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