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May 4, 2021
Zionsville Farmers’ Market Returns to the Bricks
Saturdays, May 22 – September 25 from 8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. We sat down and talked with Zionsville Farmers’ Market (ZFM) President Danielle Pezet about this year’s market and what the community can expect. This year the market will return to downtown Zionsville and even spill onto the historic Main Street bricks. Last year’s move to the Zionsville Town Hall parking lot was due to COVID-19 and construction on the former PNC bank building – a move that was necessary to allow the market to happen. This year, the market will take place on Main Street from Hawthorne Street north to Pine Street and include the parking lot just north of Salon G and Griffith Cleaners.
“When the farmers market moved away from Main Street, the board received a lot of feedback from the community and our vendors about how much they loved and missed the tradition and charm of the village on market day,” Pezet said. “We also heard from Main Street merchants about the impact the market has on their business.” In addition to the new location, the market will extend by 30 minutes and end at 11:30 a.m. This gives people an all-day opportunity to visit our town, to stop by the market and then to have lunch and shop on Main Street. The farmers’ market is being planned with COVID-19
protocols in place. Sufficient space for social distancing for vendors and attendees, along with wearing masks, is required. ZFM is limiting space to 35 vendors and prioritizing returning vendors. Next year the board looks forward to increasing the number of vendors that will be invited to participate in the market. Along with local food and produce vendors, the tradition of live music and special events will continue. And for animal lovers, yes, the market will once again allow dogs. With Pezet as president, the ZFM board reestablished the market priorities: connecting families to fresh seasonal produce, supporting local farmers, community service, health and wellness, the
May 4, 2021
Zionsville Farmers’ Market Returns to the Bricks
environment and the Main Street merchants. The environment and Main Street merchants are two new priorities for 2021. “Supporting the Main Street merchants is now very much part of our focus,” Pezet said. “This year we also added the environment as a priority and how can we be more environmentally friendly, not only in our footprint but in educating the community. I am incredibly passionate about caring for the environment and I believe the Zionsville community shares this value. We are excited to be working with the Town of Zionsville to create a recycling and composting program at the market this year.” Given the challenges of the past year, the ZFM board
is looking to leverage the market’s unique platform to provide physical and mental health resources. The board plans to continue to work with IU Health, a sponsor of the market, on more health and wellness initiatives. Some ideas include incorporating yoga after the market, featuring healthy recipes from local restaurants and education around nutrition. For community service, the market has again partnered with a local food bank to visit at the end of each market and accept produce donations from vendors. The ZFM board is looking to add a designated space within the market to create a community service booth. Every week a new community service organization will be invited to share volunteer opportunities and resources.
But perhaps the biggest change for 2021 is the move back to the bricks. “The farmers’ market is exactly where it should be – in the heart of the village and closer to the Main Street merchants,” Pezet said. “Visiting the farmers’ market is a special part of people’s weekend and a place for neighbors to connect with each other and our community. We are thrilled to invite everyone back this season.” The ZFM is run by a volunteer board and executed by Market Manager Kristin Nester. The market always seeks volunteers to help the market run smoothly. For more information, and to sign up to be a volunteer on market day, visit www.zionsvillefarmersmarket.org.
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Citizen’s Guide to Property Taxes: WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? Median Home (Gross) Value: $385,700* Net Assessed Value: $218,455 2021 Zville Corp Tax Rate: 2.0677 per $100 Net Assessed Value
ALMOST 70% GOES TO ZIONSVILLE PUBLIC SAFETY: • Public Works: $337 • Fire: $232 • Police: $185
ANNUAL TAX BILL: $4,517
ZPD TOWN $1,095 24%
ZFD
DPW •
School $2,818 63%
• Library •
$107 2%
County $497 11%
THE REST GOES TO: • Parks $89 • Non-Dept $66 • Other** $58 • Planning $54 • IT $50 • Stormwater $24 ** Admin, Finance, HR, Court, Council, Communications, Mayor, Public Assistance
*Source: Census 2015-2019 https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/zionsvilletownindiana