Black Rock, CT - Black Rock Farmers Market Co-Founders Michelle Margo and Karyn Leito announced that the Market would not return for the 2019 season, issuing the following statement:
To Our Friends, Supporters, and Loyal Vendors,
After five years of service to our Black Rock Community, we have made the very difficult decision to suspend operations of the Black Rock Farmers Market for the 2019 season.
Black Rock Farmers MarketTM (BRFM) began from a simple idea fueled by our passion for educating people about the health benefits of eating a mainly plant based diet from locally grown organic foods. It grew to a community farmers market that exceeded our wildest expectations. In the beginning we thought, “How difficult could it be to start a farmers market? You find a farmer and set up a tent right?” Well we had a lot to learn, and will forever be grateful for the lessons along the way. What we didn’t know was that this market would teach us so much about community, the local Bridgeport economy and the ripple effect a person’s actions could have on so many.
In the Fall of 2013, we began this journey with countless meetings at Bridgeport’s Wholesome Wave, where we learned more about SNAP, FMNP, and FINI programs -- because eating healthy should be accessible to all. Next began an education on the process of city permitting and special licenses -- both at the vendor and farmers market level. It was important to us to have a “producer only” market, meaning that products must be made by each vendor and all produce sold must actually be grown (not imported) by the local farmers. Dollars spent at BRFM went directly to benefit a person’s business, not a large corporation.
BRFM grew rapidly, and with growth came a greater time commitment and understanding that this was not just a simple event that appeared on St. Ann’s field every Saturday, on its own. The marketing effort alone included website and social media development and maintenance, creative design/branding, photography, the production of BRFM merchandise, and advertising. Administrative and financial management included bookkeeping, tax reporting, SNAP/WIC program management, fundraising (including the annual Hootenanny and other special events, grant writing, seeking sponsorships and donations), special program management (including live music, food, art and educational/lecture series), vendor management (including collection of fees and managing schedules), permitting and licensing, insurance and rental agreements, and monthly meetings with the Bridgeport Farmers Market Collaborative (a group of the seven Bridgeport farmers markets, of which BRFM was a founding member). The business of running BRFM is a fifty week per year commitment with an average of forty hours per week during pre-season through post-season wrap up. Eighteen Saturdays per year were spent managing an ever changing list of weekly vendors, and setting up and cleaning up the day’s event.
January 25, 2019
We are so proud of BRFM’s success. By 2018 the market was attracting nearly 15,000 people each season to our Black Rock neighborhood and contributing to the economic development of our city. Vendors who met at BRFM began collaborative initiatives to further grow their small businesses. New businesses were born in order to participate at BRFM. Customers recounted their stories of how BRFM taught them to change their diets and lead a healthier lifestyle. And one of our favorites is how Flowers For Friends, a young girl who sold flowers to raise money for the less fortunate Bridgeport community, thrived and gave back to those in need.
While BRFM has given back in multitudes, it does not have the financial means and manpower to continue at this point. Since its inception, we approached each year under a new model with great hope for success, but ultimately each model proved unsuccessful due to lack of funding, volunteers and the proper infrastructure to sustain the business. It needs financial support from the municipality in which it operates. It needs capital to pay for expenses and staff, and vendor fees alone are insufficient. It also needs an army of people who can contribute either their time, talent or treasure to its success.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us since the market’s inception, and to our partners and fiscal sponsors St. Ann Church, Black Rock NRZ and Nourish Bridgeport.
We are truly grateful for the past five years. It is an experience we will cherish.
“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”― Dr. Seuss With Love,
Michelle Margo and Karyn Leito Co-Founders