Letter to the editor:
The Fort Farmers Market wants to express sincere appreciation to six local businesses for their sponsorships this season: Fort HealthCare (presenting sponsor), Fort Community Credit Union (arts sponsor), Bob Kirk State Farm Insurance (music and entertainment sponsor), and Animal Clinic of Fort Atkinson, Blodgett Garden Center and Builders FirstSource (food access sponsors).
The presenting sponsorship allows us to keep the market current, fresh, and beautiful. Supplies, staffing needs and printing costs are primarily furnished by this sponsorship. If you have not yet picked up your Fort Farmers Market poster or yard sign, there are still plenty left. They can be acquired at the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce building, 224 N. Main St., or from the “welcome” booth at the entrance to the Fort Farmers Market.
The arts sponsorship provides the funds for the supplies needed to offer a children’s craft or activity at the welcome booth each week. Projects so far this year have included pinwheels, snap bracelets, sun catchers and fans. Interacting with children and giving them a positive experience at our market can help encourage families to participate in the community, shop local, and have an interest in where their food comes from.
The music and entertainment sponsorship contributes the funds needed to pay for two hours of entertainment each week at the market. All performers receive compensation in the form of “Market Bucks,” which can be exchanged for items from the vendors.
The monthly food access sponsorships allow for the Fort Farmers Market to have a “Double Up Program.” This program encourages local people enrolled in the EBT/Snap program to use their EBT/Snap card at the market for fresh produce by receiving double the amount of money subtracted from the card. For example, if a person spends $10 from their EBT/Snap card, they receive $20 to spend at the market.
The Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shauna Wessely recently told me that seeing our businesses support programming like the Fort Farmers Market is genuinely heart warming. She said she gets the chance to see on a weekly basis how their donations of time and money positively impact our community.
Please take some time to learn more about sponsoring the Fort Farmers Market.
Sincerely,
Aimee Leonard
Fort Farmers Market Manager
File photo/Kim McDarison.
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How do we donate?
Contact the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce.