Nothing wrong with peddling merchandise that someone else produced. Just don't do it in a place that holds itself out to consumers as a "farmers market." Kathy Gagnon seems to get that point, judging from her idea for a market in Millinocket, Maine. As she explains in the July 24 Magic City Morning Star. she wants a market that's wide open to all sorts of vendors, including local crafters, and perhaps most importantly, doesn't step on local grocers' toes.
"To provide more flexibility for the opportunities this area can provide, we propose that the area be called 'Peddler's Hill Market' rather than be classified as a 'farmers' market.' The legal definition of a 'farmers' market' in the state of Maine usually involves a larger scale of product sales through farm co-ops than what our proposal is aimed at. By avoiding the term 'farmers' market' as defined by Maine State Law, the town would have more freedom to define and regulate this area to better fit the needs and desires of the town and to also look out for the interests of existing businesses already selling produce.
"Because the proposed market would not be a typical 'farmers' market' importing larger quantities of produce for sale, it is not anticipated that this market would have an adverse impact on local grocery stores."
Notwithstanding the disclaimer belittling the importance of produce in the proposed "peddlers market," Gagnon hints that the market won't mind if consumers believe this is a place where they can buy top-quality fresh-picked produce sold by those who grew it.
"Markets such as this provide an opportunity for shoppers to talk with the vendors who actually produce the items they are buying as well as farmers/gardeners selling produce or plants that interest them. It can also offer shoppers a chance to see what foods are in season and exchange recipes or tips on cooking them."
Recent Comments