Market Central Board Members – Volunteer Position

Description

If you:

• Are interested in local food and farm transparency
• Support the farmers market as a source of food and local products
• Support diversity of vendors and customers at the market to enhance the richness of food and art cultures in Charlottesville
• Are interested in the farmers market as a public space

Then:

There is a non-profit organization looking for you.

Market Central is seeking new board members to carry on the work of engaging the community to enrich the city market experience. We would love to meet you!

More details are available in the attached document or you may contact info@marketcentralonline.org to learn more.

Additional Info

Market Central, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, focuses on the benefits a strong and vibrant farmers market can have on the community. The market is at the hub of environmental sustainability, healthy food, the local economy, and social discourse. More than just a place to buy local food, the market is a business incubator and job creator. It supports sustainability of undeveloped land, and sustainability to the local food and arts economy. It spurs innovation and creativity in business and product development, and brings diverse populations together for social and economic exchange.

Right now, with the imminent development of a new market space in the center of a mixed use development, the future city market is in great need for the public to be made aware of the opportunities a great market can create for the community as a public space. Charlottesville Department of Parks and Recreation manages the logistical and business side of the market, but there are many advances in the management and services offered by markets throughout the country that could be incorporated in our market. Gleaned from markets all over the world, membership in the Farmers Market Coalition, and trainings at the Center for Non-profit Excellence, Market Central provides research and programs that promote best practices at public markets. We believe our vision will be needed to take advantage of the opportunities forthcoming in the new market space.

The current Market Central programming includes

• An annual Meet Yer Eats farm tour, which allows the market farmers to host visitors at their farms. It is farm transparency on a personal, educational, and recreational level.
• The Token System opens access to the farmers market to shoppers of every economic level in the community. Families that use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (electronic food stamps) can shop at the market and receive extra incentive coupons to stretch their food dollars. This very popular USDA program benefits SNAP customers and farmers. Market Central is also partnering with the International Rescue Committee to provide SNAP service and record-keeping for the IRC New Roots market at Michie Drive. The IRC provides funding for the clerk and for incentive coupons.
• In addition to SNAP, customers can also use their debit cards to shop at the market. In the future, we would like to expand into accepting credit cards, too.
• Market Central has offered several years of food education. Food demos and tastings introduce consumers to new foods or new recipes. We have offered four years of canning and food preservation classes, and most recently finished a USDA funded business skills development program for vendors and board members. A stable annual fund will help us continue food education.

The Market Central Board uses self-selected policies to implement its mission and strategic plan. We are in an early growth stage as an organization, and have been able to secure grants to support our programs and 1-3 part-time staff members in the past. Our intent is to grow toward a fully developed staff so that the board can focus on being stewards of the mission and policies.

The Board currently meets every other month. Meetings last 1.5- 2 hours. Each board director is also asked to participate in guiding one of the yearly programs listed above. Besides determining policies, which requires attending most board meetings and keeping up with email, the board is responsible for sustainable development/fundraising, and in recruiting new board members when necessary. If board members cannot give directly, they can contribute by helping access funding or resources. The total time commitment averages 30 hours per year.

The board terms are two years, but board directors may serve consecutive terms. Board members must be based in or around Charlottesville, VA.