CADILLAC — Plans are in the works to keep a farmer’s market in downtown Cadillac this year, after the Cadillac Farmer’s Market pulled out over a rate increase.
Downtown Development Authority took over managing the Cadillac Commons, which includes the market space back in January. They raised vendor rates for the first time in nearly a decade.
Since then, DDA Director Travis Owens said the DDA has gotten calls inquiring if a farmer’s market would continue at the Market space.
“We have a number of vendors and community members and farmers that really looked forward to the event and reached out and wondered if we were going to have a farmer’s market,” said Owens.
He said the DDA will not be running the market but has picked a vendor to be in charge of managing a farmer’s market to keep it continuing.
“We’re just trying to help the vendors. The vendors were definitely the people that I heard from most regarding the future of the market.
Owens said they are trying to facilitate vendors and others who wanted a farmer’s market to continue in the market space,” said Owens.
“So we didn’t receive an application from the Cadillac Farmer’s Market. We did receive four applications for farmers markets, people who are interested in having those events. Of those four, two dropped out after hearing other groups had applied, including the Wexford County Conservation District, even though they scored higher in the tiered scoring system they use to choose an applicant when there is more than one.
“Knowing that there was another organization interested, they decided to partner in support as opposed to being the lead applicant, “ said Owens.
Owens said that left one person and the Traverse City based non-profit SEEDS as the two remaining applicants. SEEDS scored highest to run the new market.
He said the scoring system looked at factors including history in the space and compliance, whether the applicant is a non-profit or a city sponsored organization, and where they are located.
“It’s important to note that SEEDS does service Wexford County as well as the surrounding counties. So although they’re located in Traverse City, our immediate community and the county do benefit from the services they provide, which are ecology, environment, and focused organization,” said Owens.
Owens said some people had reached out with concerns on political rhetoric posted online by the owner of the Cadillac Farmers Market.
He said they only rent the space and can’t control what people post on social media.
“Any rhetoric outside of what’s occurring in the event space is not something that we’re trying to manage for,” said Owens.
He did add that SEEDS has ten years of experience with market management. Owens also said having a market continue downtown is critical.
“Having a recurring market on Fridays for people to attend just contributes to the whole experience of being downtown,” said Owens.