We interviewed Keri Ryan, Capital City Farmers Market Manager.
Can you tell us about your role at the Capital City Farmers Market and how long you’ve been involved?
I've been with the market since August of 2019, when I stepped in as the interim manager, while the board conducted interviews for the position. I was offered the position officially in February of 2020, just before Covid made for a very interesting first year on the job.
What makes the Capital City Farmers Market unique compared to other markets in the area?
We have both vendors and customers that travel an hour or more specifically to come to this market because it's so special. Thanks to our diverse vendor lineup, customers can fill their entire shopping list, or simply spend a few hours with friends, family and neighbors sharing a delicious meal and enjoying some live music. The market has long been a hub for community support in all directions - farm to customer, customer to farm and neighbor to neighbor. Some farms count the market as 70% of their total sales, so the fact that our customers are so consistent, year-round, means that the farms we support can thrive. Thriving farms result in a thriving market, which means you'll see returning vendors year after year, helping us grow relationships between artisans, farmers and the community that they feed.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about the market or the vendors?
We're a maker's market, so everything you see at the market has been made, grown or raised by the vendor. Food must utilize local ingredients, animals must be raised by the owner and crafts made with their own hands. So, when you support market vendors, your dollars spent go directly back into the Central Vermont economy. In 2024, we helped facilitate nearly $1.2 million in sales for Central Vermont farms and producers. We also help support a valuable resource to our community through the state's EBT/SNAP benefit program, which is offered at the EBT/Market table. Recipients can use their benefits at the market and get an extra, matched amount in Crop Cash coupons, which can be spent on fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds and starter plants. So, for $20 in SNAP benefits, they'll get $40 to spend at the market!
In addition, we host 50-60 non-profits throughout the season, offering them the opportunity to share their mission with the Montpelier community.
All of this is done on a shoestring budget with one, part-time employee! We need help to make it happen, so please consider joining us as a sponsor or volunteer!
Can you share the history of the Capital City Farmers Market and its role in the Montpelier community? How has the market adapted to changes over the years, especially considering challenges like the pandemic or weather-related events?
The market was founded in 1977 and has operated continuously since then. It has always been a place of sustenance, a source of social support, and a family that welcomes producers and the community that loves them. It's a supporter of local music and local non-profits. With vendors spending decades at the market, we've seen children born, families raised, ownership change hands, and even lost some beloved friends. When the state shut down during Covid, we continued to offer a safe, pickup location for our community in need of local food. And when the floods raged in downtown Montpelier, we quickly relocated to higher ground to continue operations without missing a market. It's a unique challenge, having a strong foundation and yet remaining nimble.
We're especially thankful to the organizations and grants that have supported our growth over the years, most recently both NOFA-VT and AARP, which have provided funding for new rest tents within the market that offer shade, water and seating, as well as subsidized space to vendors that have faced barriers to participating in farmers markets in the past.
How can people get involved with the market beyond just being a customer?
We owe a massive amount of thanks to our devoted volunteers that spend hours of their time with us over the summer and winter seasons, welcoming guests, answering questions and pointing to the restrooms, whether it's raining, snowing or sunny. We're always in need of smiling faces and we only ask for one hour, even just once per month! No heavy lifting required. Our budget is usually stretched very thin, so if you're a business that would like to help support our mission, our music lineup or just have your name in front of thousands of customers every Saturday, consider becoming a sponsor of the market! Send us an email at [email protected] to find out the needs for this year. As fellow supporters of the Montpelier community, you can help by simply sharing our social media posts with friends, or inviting a neighbor to join you at the market one week. Sharing the love of local is our goal!
