Farmers Market at Minnetrista: A Year in Review and the Year to Come
As the year comes to a close, we are reflecting on the Farmers Market at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens and looking forward to the year ahead. As you all know, this has been another remarkable year of change and adaptation, therefore we wanted to take the time to inform you all about the successes and opportunities of this market season, and the exciting changes to come.
The most exciting of these changes is Jenni Effinger! We are happy to introduce Jenni as our new Farmers Market Manager. Jenni brings a lot of experience to this role, and we are very appreciative to have her at Minnetrista. Jenni worked in hospitality for 15 years and has experience in event planning and food/drink service. She is a fantastic addition to our organization and is very passionate about taking on the Farmers Market. She has already made strides in drawing new vendors, creating experiences for the whole family, and has many ideas for the future. Before we talk about Jenni’s plans, let’s review this year.
A Look Back
Like all other organizations, the pandemic heavily impacted Minnetrista. Our offices and almost all operations were closed from March 2020 to October 2020. Many employees worked from home, and the indoor spaces were closed. Our horticulture, grounds, and maintenance teams continued with their essential work during closure. Because the Farmers Market provides fresh and healthy food for our community, it was deemed an essential service and only closed for the months of March and April when it was an indoor market. As we prepared to open the outdoor market in May, it was adapted to meet the new health department COVID guidelines. Despite these adjustments, the market served as a valuable community asset during the summer of 2020 and event attracted some new vendors. As vaccines became available and it became safer to gather, the Farmers Market picked up the pace. The 2021 summer season brought a variety of vendors and community members who were eager to serve and support each other. We had a wide assortment of offerings from vendors, including vegetables, meat, eggs, syrups, flowers, soaps, baked goods, prepared foods, and more. We are so happy to provide a space where people can reconnect and provide for each other after a time of isolation and uncertainty.
New Opportunities
The Farmers Market at Minnetrista provides a space for vendors to sell locally grown and produced food to the community. We always strive to build the strongest market possible for both vendors and guests.
We believe sustainable, nutritious food should be accessible to all families regardless of income, so we continually adapt the market to serve all members of the Muncie area. In 2019, we began accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as a form of payment with participating vendors and had the highest number of SNAP payments in this past year. We also accept payment from the following programs that help make food more affordable: Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). In 2013, the Minnetrista Farmers Market partnered with the IU Health-BMH Foundation to offer IU Health Bucks to families in need. The program requires families to attend nutrition workshops at Minnetrista to receive their tokens or purchases that align with WIC guidelines. The program has grown over the years.
Minnetrista’s partnership with the Soup Kitchen of Muncie encourages Farmers Market vendors to donate produce after each market. We are proud to report that vendors contributed an estimated 1,400 pounds of produce during the 2021 summer market season alone. This food was distributed to local families and used by the Soup Kitchen to cook meals for our community. Minnetrista also partners with Open Door Health Services (ODHS). ODHS manages the Indiana approved WIC vouchers. In 2021, Open Door held several vaccine clinics during our market and administered free COVID-19 vaccinations, including pediatric and booster shots.
Looking to the Future
The Farmers Market at Minnetrista has been a staple in the Muncie community for over 20 years. It has become a tradition for many vendors and families to spend their Saturday mornings at the market year-round, and we are excited to keep growing the experience.
In the year ahead, Jenni is not only excited to continue improving the already successful ventures of the Farmers Market at Minnetrista, she is also eager to expand the market in a variety of exciting ways. “I am excited to be part of Minnetrista’s Farmers Market. In the past few years, the entire world has been forced to slow down and re-prioritize. I think this is the perfect time for Minnetrista’s Farmers Market to do the same! Our entire team is working to rejuvenate this long-standing community asset. We are looking forward to 2022 and beyond.”
One of the most immediate changes she hopes to make is including more activities for children. The upcoming holiday activities at the Indoor Market this weekend are a great example of the kinds of activities Jenni wishes to bring to the market experience on a more regular basis. The December 18 Market activities will include ornament decorating, a station for writing letters to Santa, a visit from Buddy the Elf, and live music from Megan Biner, a local harpist.
Minnetrista appreciates our community and will continue to foster the spirit of gathering, supporting local businesses, and creating community connections. Click the button below for information about our market, access to the vendor application, and upcoming events.