Value of farmers markets shows in Clermont debate
By dawn every Sunday local merchants head to downtown Clermont to set up their booths and prepare for what they hope will be a busy market.
The first customers arrive by 9 a.m. to check out an array of goods including fresh fruits and veggies, homemade crafts, bread and jams. It’s a ritual that is played out nationwide. The number of farmers markets has grown from fewer than 2,000 in 1994 to more than 8,600 markets today, according to the Farmers Market Coalition.
New ones keep popping up in Central Florida. In January, the Parramore Farmers Market outside Orlando City Stadium started operating on Saturdays and the small town of Montverde opened a Wednesday market.
But the jewel of Central Florida is the Winter Garden Farmers Market, rated No. 1 in the nation last year by the American
Farmland Trust. The Winter Garden market’s reputation has been a point of contention concerning the future of the Downtown Clermont Farmers Market.
Last week, more than 100 people erupted in cheers when they learned the market as they know it will continue. Some on the City Council had discussed the possibility of the city taking over operation of the market from a downtown business group and bringing in a professional manager to make improvements in hopes of emulating Winter Garden’s success.
Instead, council members approved the Clermont Downtown Partnership’s street permit for another year, saying the market along Montrose Street mostly between Seventh and Eighth streets is fine just as it is.
“I must say, you have done a phenomenal job,” Mayor Gail Ash said, referring to a recent visit to the market, which runs from 9 a.m. to noon. “I like the petting zoo — I got to touch the sheep and the little piggies.”
Grumbling by some merchants outside the market boundaries who felt left out of the foot traffic it generates led to talk of the city wresting control of it, with Winter Garden as a model to copy.
The Winter Garden market runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the city pavilion on Tremaine Street and is known for its selection of reasonably priced fruit and produce and a variety of wares such as honey, sauces and soap. Nearby restaurants and the popular Crooked Can Brewing Company enjoy spillover customers from the market.
Twelve miles to the west, officials in Clermont last week said Sandy Farnsworth, the dowtown partnership’s new farmers market director, had regained their confidence.
Farnsworth said that since she was hired in September the number of merchants have doubled.
“When I came on board we had 30 vendors — we now have 60 vendors,” she said.
Farnsworth said there was talk of changing to an open-square plan like Winter Garden.
“We don’t have that kind of space,” she said.
On Sunday, young and old alike meandered down Montrose Street checking out vendors including nut salesman John Peever. In a booth with a large banner proclaiming, “I’m Nuts,” Peever said he’s happy with the Clermont market.
“A Sunday market will never be a Saturday market,” said Peever, 66, comparing the Clermont and Winter Garden markets. “Saturday is the premium day, but if you try to make this place look like Winter Garden it will never happen because this is a Sunday market. … I feel like Clermont is one of the better markets.”
Farmers markets have exploded in popularity over the years.
“In this century, there was some tipping point, when the word ‘localvore’ was coined and suddenly there was this incredible desire,” said Freedgood, referring to a term for someone who eats only locally grown foods.
Farmers markets highlight local businesses, keep dollars in the area and connect residents with those who grow and make fresh food.
Farnsworth said downtown Clermont stores report making as much as 25 percent of their monthly revenue from customers drawn to the Sunday market, founded in 2007.