Williamsburg Farmers Market Advisory Board

AGENDA City of Williamsburg Williamsburg Farmers Market Advisory Board Tuesday, December 9, 2025 A meeting of the Williamsburg Farmers Market Advisory Board will be held Tuesday, December 9, 2025 in the Stryker Center, 412 N. Boundary Street commencing at 3:15 PM. Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. September 9, 2025 Minutes 2-5 4. MARKET MANAGER'S REPORT A. Market Update a. New Vendors b. Annual Vendor Meeting - January 22, 2026 B. Financial Report C. Programs a. W&M Fall Farm Festival b. VA Fresh Match Harvest Special c. Holiday Markets 5. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7. NEW BUSINESS 8. OTHER REPORTS 9. ADJOURNMENT Next meeting is March 10, 2026 Page 1 of 5  MINUTES City of Williamsburg Williamsburg Farmers Market Advisory Board September 9, 2025 A meeting of the Williamsburg Farmers Market Advisory Board was held on September 9, at 2:00 p.m. at the Stryker Center located at 412 N. Boundary Street. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Renner called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL WFMAB Members present: Mr. Youngs, Chair Renner, and Mr. Smith WFMAB Members absent: Vice Chair Peffley Staff: Mollie Romero ( Market Manager), Robbi Hutton (Director of Parks and Recreation), Taryn Sherrill (Parks and Recreation Operations Manager). 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 10, 2025, minutes were approved. Moved by Chair Renner, seconded by Mr. Smith, to action Carried 3-0-0 by a roll call vote: Ayes: Youngs, Renner, and Smith 4. MARKET MANAGER’S REPORT The Market Manager’s report is attached. • Mr. Youngs asked how many vendors would participate in the Holiday Markets. o Market Manager Romero said that it is anticipated that an additional 5-10 vendors will participate, i.e., chestnut vendor and wreath vendors. Page 2 of 5 • Mr. Smith inquired what types of vegetables vendors would switch to selling during the winter months. o Market Manager Romero responded, hardy vegetables such as cabbage and kale. o Mr. Smith inquired if the market has any orchard vendors. Market Manager replied that a current vendor, Drumheller’s Orchard, doesn’t participate in the winter, and they return in early spring. In the fall they offer apples, donuts, and apple butter. • Mr. Smith inquired how many students attended the Market Manager’s speaking engagement at W&M. o Market Manager Romero replied that there were approximately 50- 75 students who participated in asking market-related questions. It was also explained that Manager Romero is working with Give Pulse to utilize a new volunteer platform specifically designed for students. • Mr. Youngs inquired if students can still use dining dollars at the market. o Marlet Manager Romero explained that the opportunity to use dining dollars became available at the August 23 market. On the first weekend $802 was purchased, and on the second week, $845 was purchased. The program is facilitated through W&M and Grubhub. • Mr. Youngs suggested preparing a flyer to hand out at W&M parents' weekend might be a good opportunity to educate about and promote the market. • Ms. Renner suggested “Tribe-ify” a volunteer shirt to encourage and gain more volunteers from W&M. • Ms. Renner inquired about the Market Intern’s research results – what was the ultimate finding? o Market Manager Romero conveyed that the market customer base is primarily located in zip codes 23185, 23188, and 23168. Most people interviewed were unaware of The Market’s SNAP program, which could be an area for improvement in marketing. Other recurring responses included a desire to see more bread, seafood, and meat vendors. Market Manager Romero explained that it is a delicate balancing act, avoiding saturation of the market with similar vendors. o Market Manager Romero reported that she is actively working on advertisement opportunities, such as advertising with WATA and with the WJCC school system’s SHIP program. • Mr. Smith asked for clarification about vendor fees from the financial report. o Ms. Hutton explained that the market runs on a fiscal year of July – June. Vendors get reimbursement payment for token sales at the market each week. The last market payment in FY2025 was made in FY2026, which skews the reported number. Page 3 of 5 5. CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT • Chair Renner reported that she is pleased with the number of people at the market and the level of engagement. • She has received positive feedback regarding the music at the market, and there is a nice mix of new and returning vendors. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS • Year-Round Market – the market will expand to February 7 through December 19 in 2026, breaking for An Occasion for the Arts weekend. The last market of 2025 will be on December 20. • Advisory Board Vacancy – City Council has completed the interview process and will vote at the Council meeting on September 11. • Consideration of Changing the Start Time of Advisory Board Meetings – Two board members expressed concern with the difficulty in making a 2:00 p.m. meeting due to their work schedules. It was discussed to move the start time to 3:15 p.m. Change the start time from 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Moved by Chair Renner, seconded by Mr. Smith, to action Carried 3-0-0 by a roll call vote: Ayes: Youngs, Renner, and Smith 7. NEW BUSINESS • Mr. Smith inquired about the mid-week market plans. o Market Manager Romero stated she is actively working with the vendors to gauge interest and will contact other Market Managers who hold mid-week Markets. Operations logistics were discussed along with potential dates. Additionally, Mr. Smith stated he will determine if the location is available, and Mr. Youngs will ask merchants for their input. 8. OTHER REPORTS Nothing to report Page 4 of 5  9. ADJOURNMENT At 3:01 p.m., there being no additional business before the Board, the Williamsburg Farmers Market Advisory Board meeting of September 9 was adjourned. Moved by Chair Renner, seconded by Mr. Smith, to adjourn the meeting. Carried: 3-0-0 by a roll call vote: Ayes: Youngs, Renner, and Smith Approved: ____________ Kimberly Renner, Chair Robbi Hutton, Secretary *The preceding minutes are a summary of the meeting and not verbatim. Page 5 of 5