June 5, 2013

Town Square: Farmer's Market Twice A Week?

[Photo: Dressed in Orange]
Yesterday the Board of Supervisors authorized Rec and Park to purchase the Noe Valley Ministry parking lot and convert it to a much-anticipated Town Square. But there was another interesting item that quietly passed just before the Town Square vote:
Park Code - Farmers’ Market Permits
Sponsor: Wiener
Ordinance amending Park Code, Section 7.21, to authorize Farmers’ Markets on Recreation and Park Department property to operate more than once a week, and specifying the applicable permit fee; and making environmental findings.

PASSED, ON FIRST READING by the following vote:
Ayes: 11 - Avalos, Breed, Campos, Chiu, Cohen, Farrell, Kim, Mar, Tang, Wiener, Yee
There are a very few other farmers markets that operate on Rec/Park land, so this isn't that big a deal. But then we remembered this goal from the Town Square folks: "...will host everything from twice-a-week farmers markets to food pantries, music events, evening movies, neighborhood bingo, exercise classes, cafe seating, senior citizen events…"

Fresh peaches, strawberries and heirloom tomatoes available midweek? We're in. Probably don't need to get the freshest winter kale, but a 2nd summer market would be a bonus.

Of course there is still much to do before any of that happens. But now that the Town Square is a go it's time to think more seriously about how to use the space. We expect there will be more meetings, but feel free to start the process here in the comments.

[SFBOS: Draft Minutes, June 4, 2013]

20 comments:

Unknown said...

I think events should be held in the Town Square but only ones mindful of the neighbors across the south side. Sound buffering walls should be put up anyway to mitigate noise from the T Sq for them.

Anonymous said...

We don't need another day of that annoying over-priced farmers market. I live a block away but have to go to Civic Center or Alemany to get good prices and good produce. The prices are the Noe valley Market are a joke. And you could get run over by a double wide stroller all too easier. Everyone in the neighborhood isn;t a rich techie. Between that market and the overpriced Whole Foods the neighborhood has really made it difficult for people who don't waste money.

Anonymous said...

I think it is nice to have the option of the farmers market twice a week. This may reduce some of the congestion on Sat. I for one am happy to pay a little more for yummy organic fruit within walking distance. However, if you find it too expensive or you would prefer to shop elsewhere, that is cool, there are plenty of wonderful options in the city (e.g., the fabulous market on church and 30th, the Alegeny market) this is just adding one more alternative - which for a lot of us is a good thing.

Anonymous said...

No, I don'think we should have a farmers market twice a week, at least in this space. Once is enough. And besides, doing it twice a week means the PUBLIC plaza is NOT available just to hang out, enjoy the weather, let your kids play on the grass, etc.

This plaza is not being called the FARMERS MARKET PLAZA for good reason.

Anonymous said...

I agree! It is widely known that if you have any event in the same space more than once a week this it makes that space no longer public. I think a Farmers Market one day a week is too much. I vote for no events, no benches or grass to tempt people from showing up too many times, no shade or lamp posts. Lets make this the dried up dirt lot that we all want to idly stand in for a few minutes a week (again, any more would transform the public space into a private entity.)

Also, has anyone brought up the Parking situation?

Love,

Typical Cranky Noe Neighbor

Tom said...

Maybe the mid-day market could be smaller than Saturdays so that about half could remain open and available for non-market people, or for shoppers who want to sit and enjoy their goodies.

Anonymous said...

Since the Cranky Noe Neighbor is just being sarcastic and offering nothing of substance, I'll explain it to him:

One day a week farmers market makes sense. The other days all kinds of other PUBLIC activities can happen at the new plaza, mostly on an individual basis; hanging out, kids and nannies, moms, dads, gay, straight, boys, girls, dogs (on a leash) and maybe some music once in a while.

I have that clears up your confusion.

Anonymous said...

No, I'm agreeing with you. I understand that all the Public Activities you mentioned (hanging out, kids and nannies, moms, dads, gay, straight, boys, girls, dogs, cats, tickle fights, arm wrestling)go away if there is a Farmers Market twice a week. I'm on your side. Also, I feel like no one has mentioned that there will be no where to park ever again anywhere.

Substantially Yours,

TCNN

murphstahoe said...

The other days all kinds of other PUBLIC activities can happen at the new plaza, mostly on an individual basis; hanging out, kids and nannies, moms, dads, gay, straight, boys, girls, dogs (on a leash) and maybe some music once in a while.

No kidding. I went to the Farmer's Market and I saw no kids, no nannies, no moms, no dads, no gays OR straights, and no music.

OK, I'll grant you the dogs aren't allowed in the Farmer's Market. This however brings up the most important debate to hit Noe Valley in 2014 - "Will the Noe Valley Town Square allow dogs? On or off leash?"

I'll be very happy to abstain from that.

Anonymous said...

I'll jump in:

No dogs allowed period in the new plaza. Owners are notorious for NOT cleaning up their dog shit.

Just walk down 24th on any given day. You will see dog shit on the sidewalk or in the tree wells.

Anonymous said...

The other day I saw a three-year-old boy peeing in the Walgreens parking lot. And I don't think he was on a leash. Are off-leash kids going to be allowed on the plaza? Even during Farmer's Market? Cause, I am sure you know, ALL parents let their kids just pee everywhere.

murphstahoe said...

At least that parent had the decency to get the kid to the parking lot. Usually they just pee in the store.

Anonymous said...

It could be worse: how often have we seen a hipster douche-bag pissing in some doorway day or nite on Valencia?

A lot.

Anonymous said...

You all crack me up. I'd be impressed if it would be worth farmers' while economically to have the farmer's market twice a week, seriously. And as long as we have a separate stroller parking area in the square, all will be well.

johnnyawe said...

It's been proven time and again that having farmer's markets twice / week causes childhood obesity, probably from too many strawberries.

Not to mention, who's going to be tending all the farms if the farmers are up here in Noe Valley every day?! We could be looking at severe food shortages in the area if we aren't careful! Supervisor Wiener: please leave agricultural policy to the experts in congress.

Anonymous said...

Wait a second - 'stroller parking'???? I thought the idea was to transform a 'parking lot' into a town square. While we are at it, can we have stroller-free Sundays on 24th St?

And btw, no child obesity in Noe; at NV Pediatrics they claim to have a lot more underweight kids than overweight. All these organic, vegan, whole-wheat parents... So instead of a second farmer's market we really need more cookie trucks.

Anonymous said...

WAIT. ISNT THIS FOR EVERYONE?! THAT IS WHAT WAS PROMISED.

if your snot-nosed little, unruly brats are allowed then dogs have to be allowed.

parents change diapers at tables in restaurants, so dogs should be allowed.

people with kids try to run this place, but then they leave when they cant afford a jumbo mortgage and private schools for their
precious little offspring.

The name of this neighborhood is NOE VALLEY and it existed before you people "discovered" it.

Anonymous said...

Who’s up for a day in the country? Anybody ready to revel in the sweetness of the season, meet friends and neighbors, and learn a bit about the industry that is the backbone of the state’s economy?

Anonymous said...

Ready to pet baby animals? Discover the taste of locally grown fruits and vegetables?

Anonymous said...

Mark your calendar.

Montgomery County Farm Bureau’s annual Sundae on the Farm will take place this Sunday, September 15th, at MMT Cattle Farm, 1942 Hickory Hill Rd, Fonda. It is going to be a great event.