3 minute read
Success Stories: Pelican Market
Left: Pelican Market' s logo. Image credit: Pelican Market
Above and right: Customers examine and buy products offered at Pelican Market.
Image Credit: Local Foods, Local Places.
Connection to Community Action Plan: Goal 1
Thanks to Ryan Pesch and Lily Sugimura, Pelican Rapids was able to get a farmer ' s market, known as Pelican Market, started in the alley between Seifert Realty and Big John ' s Pelican Pizza. Lake Region Electric Cooperative funded the market sheds and arch.
This was a big boon to the community. Farmers and artisans had the opportunity for a market channel that connected them directly to consumers, and Pelican Rapids residents and visitors had the opportunity to enjoy local foods and crafts.
On November 26th, 2021, Pelican Market opened for a special Pop-Up Christmas Market in the three hours before the lighted horse parade began. "It was a huge success and I got to sell a lot of my winter produce, " remarked Pesch. Due to the market' s success, there is hope that it will continue to grow next summer, as well as hope to include more vendors and host special events in the upcoming years.
Accomplishments & Impacts:
Access to Farm-To-Table foods Farmers and artisans had the opportunity to sell directly to consumers Consumers had the learning opportunity to discover to where their food comes from
Pelican Market Statistics
Throughout the Farmer ' s Market season (June 25th to October 15th 2021) Lily Sugimura and Ellie Litzinger recorded the amount of customers and vendors that showed up each Friday. During the last days of the Farmer ' s Market Season, Ellie asked market customers openended questions to survey them about suggestions on improving the farmer ' s market and its successes. After the season was over, she sent a vendor survey to gauge their experience with the market, asking about what went well, what could have been improved, and what the aspirations are of vendors in future market years.
Average amount of vendors every week: 10 Average number of weekly Pelican Market visitors: 100-130 customers. Largest crowd was on July 9th with 189 people.
Vendor ' s desires for Pelican Market
Good season! It would be nice to have the option to use WIC Coupons or EBTs here I would love live music be performed here We should have a food truck available during the farmer ' s market, at least once a month. Activities for my children to enjoy
The other vendors were very friendly; good atmosphere Small space without much visibility I built a good client base Ability to build community along the vendors Got to know my community members Saw the continued growth of vendor makeup and attendance Loved the cooperative economics of the farmer ' s market Good mix of vendors for the first year Loved being a part of this! I would love more community-based booths (SNAP-Ed, Chamber of Commerce, healthy living education, kid' s activities) I would like to see more vendors representing the full cultural diversity of Pelican Rapids Access to electricity would be nice
PJ and Karla Breen, of Breen Enterprises, pose for pictures in front of the market shed where they sold their bison meat throughout the summer.
Image Credit; Local Foods, Local Places
