NFM farmer’s market will be back, may relocate
An atypical winter rainy season put a damper on the inaugural North Fort Myers farmer’s market’s first year but oganizers say they plan to bring it back, perhaps in a new location.
Sims Ventura, who ran the market and whose mother, Betsy, runs Local Roots, which runs several markets in Lee County, said weather was a continuing issue.
“We’ve been unlucky, but we’ve had quite a few customers come in. We appreciate the loyal customers and vendors who came out, even though it was raining,” Ventura said.
The market opened in December with high hopes, especially with the Marinatown location near the water.
When the weather was nice, people came. But six of the first eight markets were decimated by downpours, with one of the few nice days coming on New Year’s Day, a holiday.
Ventura said that helped contribute to a slower season overall, as did the new market that North Fort Myers represented.
“For the first year of the market and getting our name out there, it was good. Me and co-manager Tyler (Baer) were happy with it,” Ventura said.
As the season came to a close, the 25 or 30 vendors dwindled to less than 10.
Larry Park, who ran a booth for Heritage Pointe Pure Honey, which makes mostly locally produced honey, said it could have been better.
“It got off to the slow start, but it picked up a little bit. It’s the first year here and you need to get some traction going,” Park said. “We enjoy North Fort Myers.”
The North Fort Myers Civic Association also had a booth, and it did help bring in about 10 new members. President Michael Land agreed the weather hampered efforts.
“Some of the vendors pulled out early on and it never really got going. We tried to get a sign on the highway, but couldn’t get one,” Land said Friday on the last day. “People don’t know the place is here.”
Land remaines confident the farmer’s market could be a success, but added he would explore different locations, that are more visible and on Route 41. The Shell Factory is a possible destination, Land said.