THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 19, 1995 TAG: 9507180104
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY JODY R. SNIDER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Long : 140 lines
RED, RIPE tomatoes are a hot sell at the Isle of Wight Farmers Market off U.S. Route 17.
And cantaloupe and sweet corn? Vendors can't keep it.
This year, Evelyn D. McDonald of Smithfield has a monopoly on it all.
McDonald, 67, is one of two vendors who have paid dues to sell fresh fruits, produce and fish at the market. She's also the only one who has shown up to sell.
That's good for McDonald. It's bad for the county's fledgling farmers market.
``It's just beginning to wake up now,'' McDonald said as she unpacked tomatoes on a 90-degree day along Route 17. ``It would help if there were more vendors. I think it would draw more people to the market.''
Market manager Melissa Kirk couldn't agree more. She sees a market ripe with potential.
She sees a market that could one day host vendors by the dozen and customers by the bushel.
She sees a day when the two small sheds at the site will be replaced by one large rectangular shed that accommodates several vendors.
``The problem right now is that we're limited as to what we can sell,'' Kirk said. ``And in order to make the market work, farmers have to be out there.''
Kirk says she believes the market needs variety to make it popular with sellers and buyers. Variety means crafts, baked goods and other homemade products.
Kirk became interested in the market several months ago when she saw the empty site as a prime location for a giant lemonade stand, something she and her 10-year-old daughter could do together.
She even hoped to host a grand opening with pony rides and approached a friend about offering helicopter rides.
But county officials greeted her suggestions with negative replies.
Under current zoning guidelines, the market can sell only fresh fruit, produce and fish, drector of planning Bryan David said recently.
Crafts or manufactured goods such as T-shirts, paintings or baskets cannot be sold at the site, he said.
``What happens is that it ceases to be a farmers market and turns into a flea market,'' David said. ``If we allow the baskets and cross-stitch, then it escalates to T-shirts, leather goods and fishing gear.
``A distinction has to be made.''
The site would have to be rezoned to sell nonfood items, David said.
In recent years, the Isle of Wight market was governed by the now-defunct Farmer's Market Association. The county also supported the market, buying a $600 sign, filling potholes in the parking lot and donating sheds.
But county support wasn't enough to drive this market.
Two years ago, the market hit a snag when farmers' attendance declined. The site itself seemed to be falling apart when rotting vegetables, fruits and produce crates were left behind.
When the site drew motorists' complaints, county officials washed their hands of the project, and an independent manager stepped in to clean up the eyesore.
Although the site took shape, vendors' rates soared from $35 per month to $50 per week. The result was a clean site with no farmers.
To bring farmers back, Kirk has lowered the rates to $150 per month to rent a shelter and $75 per month to sell from a truck.
``The rent was too high,'' McDonald said. ``Now with the flat rate, I see the market growing in the future.''
And there is money to be made from the market.
``We've had to make midday trips to Driver for more tomatoes. We sold out,'' McDonald said. ``We can't keep cantaloupe or corn.''
In Surry County, the farmers market has been successful for eight years.
In the parking lot of the Surry County Courthouse, Surry farmers dish out produce and fruits each Wednesday and Saturday from trucks - until the trucks are empty and it's time to go home.
The big market day is Saturday, when as many as 20 farmers have shown up to sell. On Wednesdays, the turnout is smaller, with sometimes as few as two farmers selling.
But on either day, the reputation of the Surry market causes customers to drive out of their way to stop.
On a recent Wednesday, Newport News bubble-gum salesman Bob Butler had his mouth set for a potato pie.
``There's one guy here who's got the best potato pies I've ever eaten,'' Butler said. ``You just can't beat 'em. But he's not here today.'' Butler returned to his truck empty-handed.
Surry farmer A.E. Brown said he likes selling at the market because of the chit-chat with customers and the pride of selling something he has grown himself.
Brown said the Surry market works because farmers have set prices for each item of produce.
``Everyone should be on the same accord,'' he said. ``We all try to sell at the same level. You don't want to under-price anybody.''
But after eight years of selling, Brown knows that some days are better than others.
``Some days, I don't make nothing. Then I go home,'' he said. ``But on a good day, I can make as much as $50. And it's nice to know that I can raise something and sell it. When you get to be 85, you got to have something to do.''
Brown said he counts on the regulars like Ann Kelley, 54, who comes every week and leaves with an armful of produce.
``I've been coming here since they opened,'' she said. ``My whole family comes. My parents came for years, and my children come. It goes from generation to generation.
``This is a quiet little place to come to. It's still laid back. And we hope it stays that way.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Cover]
OFF TO MARKET OR AS OFF-MARKET?
[Color Photo]
Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
A sign along U.S. Route 17 alerts motorists to the Farmers Market,
where fresh fruits, produce and fish are available. Currently there
are only two vendors, but more are being sought.
Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
A.E. Brown waits on Nell Daughtridge, right, of Burlington, N.C.
Brown is also in the photo on today's Citizen cover.
Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
``In order to make the market work, farmers have to be out there,''
says Melissa Kirk, manager at the Isle of Wight site.
Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
A.E. Brown waits on Nell Daughtridge, right, of Burlington, N.C.
Brown, also in the photo on today's Citizen cover, likes raising
produce and selling it. ``When you get to be 85, you've got to have
something to do,'' he says.
Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Yellow squash, fresh from the garden, is on sale at the Surry Farm
Market.
Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Lucy Turner pays WIlliam T. Copeland for fruit as Stephen Lee
watches. Copeland was tending a friend's booth at the Isle of Wight
market.
by CNB