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I traveled to Burlingame on a sunday expecting to attend the Fresh Market and
it was open. I asked some local people why and I was told that the event had
not been held for a while. Does anyone have any information about the Fresh Market? Is it still being held?
Thanks,
Ana
– Written by hypashia
The Fresh Market, run by the Burlingame Chamber of Commerce, opens on May 2nd and closes in November. Come and enjoy the great produce, and eclectic foods this Sunday.
Great to see the Fresh Market open today – the first time this year. We need many more stalls – anyone have any ideas? It was great last year when they invited an entertainer. As one stall holder said today, why weren’t there more signs, publicity, more stalls, etc.? Today I learnt about apples and cherries, so it is educational too!!
The fresh market was just plain dead. It doesn’t need music or clowns, it needs vendors. More vendors. The city doesn’t seem to want to promote this event. The vendors that are there seem disappointed as well, and will eventually pull out due to low sells….since we are not going back. Check out all the fun in Millbrea.
Jean, you are right – there were very few vendors – and they too were disappointed. This was the first Fresh Market of the year so perhaps we should give it a chance to get started. There was so little signs around but there is now a banner across Burlingame Avenue. Perhaps there should be alot more other kinds of vendors – local artists, etc. It would be a shame if people like us don’t shop at our Fresh Market – otherwise it will disappear in the wind.
Last year’s started slowly, too, though. Having the big break between November and May is not helpful as the market loses “traction” from both customers and vendors.
Further, the cost of running this is increasing. Some government agencies, like county agriculture or the health department, both charge the organizer of the market a fee for their inspections. I think one of them is $60 an hour with a one-and-a-half hour minimum (like it takes that long to inspect that little parking lot!).
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Some vendors are being discouraged from attending, being asked to pay to have their vehicle “registered” by one of these agencies. I understand, for example, that a bakery would drive to several markets on a particular day, dropping off its staffer(s) and a supply of merchandise. Now, the law requires the bakery (or whatever) to have a vehicle, which is registered, at EACH market location. (They can’t just set up with their products and a booth or table…they have to have a car, truck or van on each site.) As a result, this limits the number of prospective vendors.
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Millbrae, for example, runs its market about 46-48 weeks a year.
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I hope people will venture down to the market on Sunday!
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A fountain of wisdom as usual, Gerald. This explains a lot, particularly why the market is predominantly growers or retailers from the Central Valley. They come into Burlingame in one vehicle and stay here–no legal problems. Who’s in charge?
I would be willing to help Burlingame model after Millbrae and to ensure the Fresh Markets survival. As Joe asked, who is in charge?
Contact Georgette Naylor at the Chamber of Commerce. 344-1735. She’s typically at the market on Sundays, “disguised” with a sun hat and dark glasses….I am certain they can use a bit of help!
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