We're fine-tuning our mailroom! We know you don't want to be  inundated with emails, so we've added an option for you to tell us your interests, and we'll only send items that are relevant to you. Even if you're already on our list, we invite you to click the "Join out Mailing List" link to indicate your preferences. No duplication - we promise!
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Introducing our NEW "Friends of the Market" program
| Over the years, Market Central has been fine-tuning our role in the City Market community. We don't run the show -- heavens, no! -- but we do some pretty cool things that help make the market better for everyone. The farm tour program, canning classes and demonstrations, artisan demo day, vendor appreciation day, and yes, even this newsletter add value to the market in ways that we're only just beginning to understand. We're building community, giving vendors more opportunities to showcase their products, and offering educational programs that stress the importance of supporting our local producers.
And we've grown: we're influencing the future and direction of the market, reaching more and more customers, vendors, and community leaders every year. We are incredibly grateful to all our supporters for their help along the way, and want to offer everyone an opportunity to be part of a stronger, more vibrant public market. "How can I do that?", you ask. We'd like to welcome you to our "Friends of the Market" program. Your support of the Friends of the Market program means that you: - Believe in Market Central's role in improving the market for everyone
- Support our initiative to dedicate a permanent home for the City Market
Friends of the Market pledge their support by making a minimum $20 donation to Market Central. As a non-profit organization, we rely on donations to operate our programs, and we're incredibly grateful for your support. But this isn't a one-way street: When you make your contribution, you'll receive a nifty 'Friends' badge, valid throughout the current season. The badge is your ticket to discounts on events and merchandise offered through Market Central (half price farm tour tickets!!) as well as special vendor offerings throughout the season. We'll have a special announcement board at our booth for all the vendors to post new products and special pricing, and we'll be tweeting announcements throughout the morning. So, friend -- can we count you in? |
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Exciting News about a permanent home!
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Market Central has been working with members of last year's City Market Task Force to continue advocating for the market district recommendation that was made to City Council in July 2011. From these conversations, the Charlottesville Market District Alliance was formed. The CMDA is a group of business, market, and community leaders whose sole purpose is to support the creation of a downtown Market District, with a permanent City Market site within.
Over the winter, the CMDA has been meeting with City leaders to further explain the vision, and to seek their support. Last week, a letter was submitted to the Charlottesville City Council that begins to make the case for how the market district vision -- which includes a permanent home for the City Market at its core -- can be achieved. We expect to see the matter come before Council very soon, and the CMDA will be asking Council to make the commitment to explore the vision for a permanent, downtown market location, as well as offering to help with research and fundraising in order to make the vision a reality. Want to read more? There are links and updates on CMDA's site: keepitdowntown.com. We'll keep you up to date with Council dates as they are made available. |
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Market Central partners with JABA to continue
SNAP/ebt program at City Market
|  Have you used the token system yet at the market? For the last two seasons, JABA has operated the 'token booth' at the City Market. This program allows you to swipe your SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) or debit card at the booth, and receive tokens to spend at the market. You can even swipe your debit card to give a market gift certificate! Last season, the program brought over $25,000 in sales to the market. We are thrilled to announce that Market Central is partnering with JABA in 2012, and we will be staffing the booth at the market this season. If you haven't used the program in the past, please stop by the Market Central booth (right next to the manager's tent), and we'll show you the ropes!
SNAP beneficiaries can get double voucher coupons, too! This funding is through a special grant from the Wholesome Wave Foundation, and means that your SNAP money is doubled when you use your SNAP benefit card to shop for fresh, local foods at the market. And, in case you didn't know: you can use your SNAP card to purchase food-producing PLANTS, too! |
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We're looking for a hand with.....
|  Every now and then, we need to reach out for a little extra help. Truth is, as we expand our reach, the "to-do" list grows and grows. So we'd like to reach out to YOU for a little help.....
- Our long-time treasurer, Eileen Stephens, has decided to step down, and we are searching for a replacement. If you've got a knack for numbers, and a passion for the market- - we'd like to talk with you!
- We also expect that we'll have periodic need for accounting and legal services, graphic designers and web wizards -- we welcome members of the community with expertise in these areas to help us build an even stronger presence.
If you'd like to volunteer, please email us, or stop by our booth at the market any Saturday morning. |
| Take the $10 a week challenge to Eat Local, Buy Local | 
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| The highs and lows of produce pricing - a call for volunteers: | |
A UVA student is reaching out for form help with a research project: The project will compare the cost of in-season produce between the City Market and several conventional grocery stores. Volunteers will visit assigned grocery stores and record pertinent details about fresh produce, including price and origin, and report back to the team leader. Data will be gathered from at least four locations each Saturday over the course of five months (May to September).
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