Episode 712 · December 30, 2022
712: Kathleen Mortensen on Not Just Any Farmers Market
Managing a family-based full participation farmers market.
In this episode
We meet Kathy Mortensen who manages a community market from an entirely different state. The health focused market in Naperville, Illinois is growing with big events, strategic booth placement, and fun vendor-involved themes. We find out what she is doing to make it a successful event for the local community.
Our Guest
Kathy grew up with nine siblings and had family meals every night. Her mom was very sustainable and on an extremely tight budget, yet only purchased meat from the local butcher; and fresh fruits and vegetables were the norm. Kathy’s husband started running the Naperville Farmers Market when the founder passed it on to him. Kathy took it over when he left his position at work, never expecting it to develop into what it is today.
- How Kathy and her husband took over running a farmers market
- Running an Illinois farmers’ market from Arizona
- Incorporating four big events into the regularly scheduled market
- “Full participation” farmers market – how they get the vendors involved
- How to become a vendor at the market
- What she looks for in new vendors
- How she groups the vendors to help keep traffic flowing and support the vendors
As well as
- Her failure – Accidentally cutting a customer’s wedding dress and keeping her integrity by owning up to it
- Her success – starting a few successful businesses and raising a son she is proud of
- Her drive – The health of her family
- Her advice – Stay true to yourself, watch where your food is coming from, and support local small businesses
Kathy’s Book recommendations
Grain Brain, by David Perlmutter
How to reach Kathy
- Email: napervillesfm@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/napervillefarmersmarket/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Naperville-Farmers-Market-1746815325539720
- Website: www.napervillefarmersmarket.com
UrbanFarm.org/NapervilleFarmersMarket
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