The Sackville Farmers Market is looking for a new manager. Longtime market manager Michael Freeman is moving on, taking on a new job as a caseworker for street involved youth in Moncton.<\/p>\n
Freeman says there\u2019s been lots of changes at the Farmers Market in the roughly eight years since he first took on the job of manager, including the growth of businesses that sometimes move on to become brick and mortar shops.<\/p>\n
One of the big developments is the market\u2019s relationship with the town government. \u201cWe have built up a very, very good relationship with the town of Sackville,\u201d says Freeman. \u201cThey dish out all kinds of lovely in-kind benefits: use of the park, all kinds of promotion and logistical assistance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Though the market has been around in one form or another for about 35 years, it incorporated in 2012, and a formal relationship with the town started to develop in the ensuing years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a very strong volunteer board, the majority of whom are vendors at the market and business owners in Sackville,\u201d says Freeman. The board does committee work involving development of the organization and long term planning.<\/p>\n
Freeman says the role of market manager has grown over the years he\u2019s held the position, now including not just Saturday logistics, but also promotion, professional development, and grant writing. \u201cIt reflects all of the things that go into coordinating a large weekly event in this town,\u201d says Freeman.<\/p>\n
Freeman says it was a difficult decision to leave the market, and he will remain a Sackville resident, commuting to work in Moncton. \u201cI think I might be a Sackville lifer,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd I\u2019ll probably be at the market just as much as always, but as a customer.\u201d<\/p>\n