Last week's snow and ice didn't just mess up school schedules and work lives. For farmers and farmers markets, it did very expensive damage. I've heard of at least one, Windcrest Farms, that lost a high tunnel, used to shelter young plants and seedlings and extend the growing season. This morning, I got word about major damage to the tents at the popular Matthews Community Farmers Market. Seven of the tents, used as permanent spots to shelter vendors, were stomped flat by the storm.
Pauline Wood, the manager of the Matthews market, sent out a call for help this morning to raise money for a new, bigger tent that would work better in their space:
"We want to turn this calamity into an opportunity to upgrade to one large attractive tent to cover the vendor spaces in the middle of the market. It would be a market centerpiece."
The trouble is, that kind of tent would cost about $4,000 and needs to be ordered soon to be installed in time for the regular-season opening April 5. The damage also comes at the end of the winter, when they haven't earned much money for a while.
The market will open tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 22) and there will be some early spring crops. They've shifted things around to make room for vendors who don't have covered spaces for the moment. But while you're trying to grab some fresh food, make time to stop by the market office and make a donation, or go to market website, www.matthewsfarmersmarket.com and make a Paypal donation.
PHOTO: www.matthewsfarmersmarket.com.
Thanks for good presentation.
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