WOODBURY, MN (WNN) – The Woodbury Planning Commission has approved a conditional use permit for the Woodbury Farmers Market to return to Red Rock Elementary School.
Construction at Central Park caused the market to relocate to the school last year.
“It’s a really good farmers market, and the community has shown us a lot of support even with the move last year,” Lindsay Stauner of the St. Paul Growers Association, which operates the market, told the commission. The association operates several markets in the metro area.
The commission approved the permit but added some parking restrictions to the site, including banning parking on Commonwealth Avenue. The Woodbury Farmers Market plans to operate from June 1 to October 26 on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Stauner said the school site appears to have caused a dip in attendance. Transactions at the market’s information tent – which includes Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients receiving currency to use at the market as well as people who need cash to spend – fell 20 percent last year, the only metric available to judge performance. But the association says the Woodbury market remains popular with a waiting list of vendors who want to join in.
Products include seasonal produce like vegetables, apples and mushrooms as well as meat, cheese, baked goods, bread, cottage food items like salsas and jams, ready-to-eat food, drinks, and flower bouquets.
In addition, the market is planning on inviting community groups and businesses to rent space and provide information on their services. Last year, an Irish dance group performed and a robotics group demonstrated its skills. Stauner said at least one food truck is expected to participate too.
Several commissioners said they hope the market returns to Central Park next year. Construction there is expected to be completed this fall. Commissioner Thomas Harrington said Central Park is as close Woodbury gets to having a downtown. “I think having a farmers market in Woodbury is amazing because it sets up an opportunity for all of us to get together in one place.”
The Woodbury City Council is expected to consider the permit at its Mar. 12 meeting.
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