Bloomington, Ind. ~ At their October 15th meeting, the Board of Park Commissioners in Bloomington, Indiana received a presentation from Zec Eight Insights, a consulting firm based in Zionsville, Indiana. The presentation highlighted the results of the summer 2024 evaluation of the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market.

The decision to conduct this evaluation was made at the Park Board's January 23rd meeting when they approved a contract with Zec Eight Insights for a total cost of $20,000. This year marked the 50th season of the Farmers' Market in Bloomington, making it an opportune time to thoroughly review its operations. The study was also prompted by various factors such as the 2019 vendor controversy, the impact of COVID-19 on food production and sales, and changing trends in farmers' markets.

The BCFM Evaluation Study resulted in eight key recommendations for improving the Farmers' Market. These included enhancing communication, clarifying the role of the Farmers' Market Advisory Council, providing training for Market staff on market operations, and reevaluating the fee structure and selection process for vendors.

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According to Austin Hochstetler from Zec Eight Insights, their research involved analyzing customer and vendor data from previous Markets, comparing the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market to other similar markets in size, conducting interviews with community partners and current and past vendors, as well as an online survey of Market customers. In his report to the Park Board, Hochstetler stated that there is strong support for the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market among its loyal customers. He also noted that vendors and customers expressed a desire for the market to position itself as a central hub for the local food economy amidst competition from local co-ops, food stops, and other farmers' markets in Bloomington.

The Parks and Recreation staff are currently reviewing the report and strategizing action steps for future plans for the Market in its 2025 season. For those interested in learning more about the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market, including the upcoming November Market at Switchyard Park and Holiday Market at City Hall, they can contact Clarence Boone, Farmers' Market Coordinator, or call 812-349-3738.

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