SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A farmers market in the heart of the Meadowview neighborhood of Sacramento could come as early as 2024, according to District 8 Councilmember Mai Vang.
She told Meadowview Neighborhood Association members at an October meeting that they secured $500,000 in state funding to launch the farmers market.
"(We) also want to support an operator that can ensure smooth operations. I think it's really important that sustainability is key," Vang said. "Mayors and councilmembers come and go, but what remains is the community, sustainability is really important to me and making sure we have a solid operator that knows what their doing."
Though they won't receive the money until next year, Vang said they are reviewing potential locations for the farmers market.
Meadowview community leader Mikaili Kamau attended the meeting and told ABC10 he'd like to see a member of the community hired as farmers market operator.
"Let's not waste money and the opportunity to have a regular Meadowview farmers market by following the routine practice of endless planning and parades of consultants," he said. "This market should be planned, initiated and operated by Meadowview neighbors and volunteers."
Among the potential locations she mentioned, Vang said the Sam & Bonnie Pannell Community Center appears the most viable since the property is city-owned. Other locations she listed included the Meadowview Light Rail Station and Freeport Elementary School.
She said her office is reaching out to community organizations to gather their proposals for the future market.
Kamau said he is cautiously optimistic for the future of the long-awaited farmers market in the neighborhood.
"Now, let's see how long it takes to get the job done, not sure why it takes half-a-million dollars to get people into a lot to serve vegetables," he said, "I've seen announcements a few times; that's why I'm not going to celebrate until I start seeing some progress."
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