It’s a gorgeous sunny day outside, and this afternoon I took a walk over by the Market site to enjoy a little fresh air. It’s doesn’t quite look like Market season yet (we need a little more green on the trees for that), but it felt warmer on February 26 than at some of those late-season markets last October!

Right now it’s hardcore planning season: fundraising so that we can continue to offer SNAP incentives and afford equipment and Market staff, planning fun promotional events to help get the community excited for Market season, and mapping out logistics, programming, and advertising. Applications have been rolling in from returning favorite vendors and a couple of new farms already. And the most important part of Market planning season is coming up with ways to get more people to buy our fresh offerings. That’s why we’re all here, right?We’ve been so thrilled by our booming customer base, with a big increase in sales this past season over 2016. Not only are we happy to see our farmers making more money, but we love hearing from our shoppers about what they’ve made with their market haul. We love it when you share your version of what you tasted in the sampling tent, or when you share a new recipe idea with us for Market produce (I still haven’t tried out this recipe for melon pasta, but 2018 is going to be the year!).

So what do we have on tap for 2018? Well, you’re going to have to wait a little while to learn….because we want your input!

Please take a few minutes to answer the 7 quick questions in the survey below. Your feedback will help us craft new services and programs that make the Market an even better place for you to load up on fresh, local food in 2018!