Yorktown Farmers' Market Founder Responds to Business Fears

The , scheduled to begin in May, has sparked some concerns and questions among the local farmers and some residents. 

But Karen Symington Muendell, who will run the market along with Ed Muendell and Danielle Lewandowski through Maize Market Management Corp, said the farmers' market is designed to support and donate to local charities. It will also benefit and give exposure to the local farmers. 

During a recent town board meeting, that  would hurt their businesses. Supervisor Michael Grace told the farmers the idea for the farmers' market came out of a  to promote local farming and urged them to attend the .

Muendell said she gotten a hold of some of the farmers, but they have not been interested in being a part of her market. 

"I think [the farmers' market] will only increase awareness of them and it will only promote special events they have going on," she said and added that if the farmers' market is once a week, people could go to the local farms the other six days of the week. 

Contrary to what local farmers have said, Muendell said, the farmers she has selected to be part of the market are required to submit documents showing exactly what they would sell. She said they're producing their own produce. 

"I had picked them, I know the farmers personally, I know their produce, I know their reputation," said Muendell, who works as a demonstration chef at markets. 

The Yorktown Market will take place at the field behind , the entrance is on Veteran’s Road. The field is run by donation, so the farmers' market will benefit by the rental fee paid by the market.

"That was one reason why we went with the firehouse over the because they were a better fit for the mission of our company," she said. 

The purpose of the market is to unite and educate the community on the benefits of local, seasonal eating, and promote the agricultural history of the region. 

In addition, a different area charity will be invited to be the Charitable Organization of the Week (COW). Each COW will be given free use of the community booth to distribute literature about their organization, promote fundraisers and increase awareness of their cause. They will also receive a percentage of the vendor fees for that day, donated by Maize.

The Harrison Apar Foundation will be the COW on opening day. The  has signed on for the following week.

Muendell said she will have no more than 20 vendors at the market who will sell a variety of products – from fruits and vegetables, baked goods, cheeses, specialty artisan sauces, green cleaning products, handmade soaps and meats. 

The farmers' market would provide that "one stop shop" experience people are looking for, Muendell said, and added Yorktown residents go to other farmers' markets in the area. 

"People like to know where their food is coming from," she said. "That is what I want to bring to my farmers' market."

Muendell will be attending the community affairs meeting on March 22 at 7 p.m. at , where she will discuss what she has been doing toward opening the farmers' market. 

"You can't please everybody, but I won't let negative comments stand in the way of my goal," she said. "I hope people who have come out against it, and if they love Yorktown, they'll support the good it will bring to the town."

Opening day for the farmer's market will be May 19. The market will run Saturdays, except for June 23 and August 11, until Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information about the farmers' market, check out their website.

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