Open Letter from OFM President Jane Graham 2

Open Letter from OFM President

I would like to thank everyone who has supported the market this season. From those who volunteered to those who supported us on a weekly basis by visiting us on Saturday morning, we appreciate your support. To those who took our surveys to help make the OFM exactly what our community wants, I thank you.  The purpose of the market is to enhance the town in which we live, support local farms, foods, crafters, non-profits and artists and to give our community a place to gather while supporting the local economy.

I would like to touch on some important topics that came up during the market season and through our survey.  We plan on growing the market with more food vendors over the winter planning months.  This year we started planning with 100% volunteer time in April. Generally, markets  begin planning in December.  Our late start this year made it difficult to secure the number and variety of vendors we would have liked.  The vendors that went out on a limb to come and get the market going were our life savers and have put in a great amount of time, money and energy into making a market for all to enjoy.  We are very thankful for them and their efforts!  We are also very proud of the fact that the market is totally self sufficient. It is completely supported by vendor fees, not tax dollars.

Our committee is 100% volunteer and the work we do is the equivalent of a full time job.  We do this because we love Oakland, we love to support the local economy and we love seeing our community gather together and grow.  The more volunteers we have for the market the better it will be.  You don’t need to commit to a huge amount of time, there are many areas that don’t take a lot of work but a little help would go a long way!  So, please, if you are interested in volunteering even for a day contact us and we will get you invloved.

We want this market to be even more of a community gathering place and we encourage our local organizations to contact us about using the market as a possible venue for events they are planning.  We want to work with ALL Oakland committees, clubs and organizations to do partnered events and help support each other.  We do not want to stand alone.

We are trying to bring a positive addition to Oakland, one that can succeed and become something that draws people to our community.  We ask that you continue to support us, our vendors and our efforts by visiting the market weekly. By supporting our current vendors you will help lay a foundation we can build upon.  Showing that we, as a community, want this market to continue to grow for many, many years to come.

This season has been an incredible learning experience for myself and the committee. We plan on taking what we have learned this year, listening to the community and working to nurture this market into next season.  With your continued support and by sharing the market with your friends and family we can make the Oakland Farmers’ Market one that our community will take great pride in.

With great sincerity, thank you!!

Best to you and see you at the market!!

Jane Graham

President
OFM Committee