Norfolk Farmers Market may shut down

NORFOLK —  After 10 years, the operators of the Norfolk Farmers Market may shut the market down for good next month.

The market has been held during the spring, summer and fall months, from May to October, in front of Norfolk Town Hall.

During the winter season, special markets have been held indoors, either at Town Hall or at the Battell Chapel inside the Church of Christ Congregational.

On Dec. 5, Market Steering Committee member Mary Jo Tomaselli sent an email to local media outlets announcing that the committee is considering shutting down the market “due to a lack of manpower.”

In an interview, Sue Frisch, who founded the market in 2006, said the market’s current market manager, Theresa Cannavo, is stepping down next month.

Frisch said the market manager is a paid, part-time position.

Other than the market manager, Frisch said, the work falls to volunteers.

“Theresa has been the manager for three years, and we had another manager for seven years before that,” Frisch said. “We are looking for a paid, part-time manager, and it is very critical that we find one.  We are also looking for more volunteers to help the committee.”

Frisch said the market currently has 11 members on its committee, who also serve as volunteers.

“Some of the members are not active with the market any more because they are burned out,” Frisch said. “There’s just an incredible amount of work to do to have a successful market. The committee has unanimously decided that we do not want to see the market dwindle. If we cannot get fresh blood and a new manager, we will just close.” 

Schuyler Thompson, who also is a volunteer for the market and serves on its committee, agrees with Frisch.

“Many of the volunteers are nearing retirement age,” Thompson said. “Like almost everything else, a bunch of people started something that lasted several years. Eventually, people get burned out. The question I have for people is: How much do you love your market? Who wants to step up to have it continue?”

“I think the market has been beneficial to the town,” Frisch said. “It brings in a lot of travellers who pass by Norfolk. Since I started it, we have had several farms open in Norfolk.”

“The market has had a positive impact on Norfolk,” Thompson said. “It has become a destination for people living outside of town. A lot of people from outside of town have come in to shop at the market. We would like that to continue. It has been rewarding to see people come to town to load up their car trunks with goods.”

Frisch said that the committee will make a decision next month on whether or not to continue the market.

“I hope by putting out a call for help might bring the right people in,” she said. “A lot of people want to see the market continue. We will do our best to keep it operating.”