Petition circulates to bring farmers market to borough

iocal organizers are working hard to try to bring a farmers market to the Ambler community, and support EHKLnG WKH SURMHFW KDs JURwn so quickly, the fruits of their labor may be beginning to blossom.

When Karen Palmer began working to try to bring a farmers market to the Ambler community, she said it came from the fact that there is no place to buy produce in Ambler, let alone locally grown produce.

Working with a group called Farm to City, which unites communities with local farmers and helps provide locally grown food, Palmer said while they are still in the early stages of development, progress is coming along nicely.

Farm to City requires communities interested in farmers markets to provide a business plan as to how the market would work, three possible locations and evidence of public support for a farmers market.

Palmer said the team be- KLnG WKH SURMHFW EHJDn Dn Rnline petition and survey to see if it could generate interest in WKH SURMHFW DnG WKH UHsSRnsH has been overwhelming.

The petition has more than 300 signatures and 80 percent of the signatures have a comment attached supporting the SURMHFW, wKLFK 3DOPHU sDLG Ls “really very cool.”

The survey includes questions about shopping habits and asks if residents would shop at a new store in order to get their produce, she said. It allows Farm to City to see what demographics could become potential clientele and if there really is public interest in a market throughout the community.

One highlight of the marNHW wRuOG sHH sSHFLfiF IDUPers selling their crops every week, according to Palmer. This offers a predictability factor for customers who will know who will be there and when they will be there.

dene Mcdonagle, of Ambler Main Street and owner of the Ambler Flower Shop, said the idea of a farmers market appeals to the whole community. He said while various vendors have popped up in the past offering a simi- lar product, a facility with consistent hours would allow the concept to grow and be different by allowing a personal connection.

Right now, Mcdonagle said he hopes to obtain grant money or money due to endorsements from various nRnSURfiW RUJDnLzDWLRns Ds D way of showing how committed the borough is in seeLnJ WKLs SURMHFW EHFRPH D reality.

Both Palmer and Mcdonagle said they have seen unoffiFLDO suSSRUW IURP $PEOHU Borough Council, which they said is always supportive of things new and exciting.

“Mary Aversa and council are super supporters,” Mcdonagle said.

While the three possible locations for the market have been chosen, Palmer said she wants to wait until she hears from Farm to City beIRUH PDNLnJ Dny RIfiFLDO Dnnouncements. For now, she expects to have a decision from Farm to City by the beginning of kovember.

To sign the petition and beFRPH LnvROvHG Ln WKH SURMHFW, visit http://www.ipetitions. com/petition/amblerfarmersmarket.