In a months-long drama with as much cat-fighting and name-calling as a sweet sixteen slumber party, the leadership of the Sonoma Farmer’s Market has officially been declared. Battle-bruised but victorious, veteran manager Hilda Swartz and the incumbent board of directors will remain in charge of the popular local market.
According to a report in the Sonoma Index-Tribune, Sonoma City Council voted this week to keep Swartz in the driver’s seat…with the caveat that the management be more publicly transparent about their decisions (among other things). Swartz’s detractors had hoped for a coup after the Community Services and Environment Commission (an organization with oversight of the Plaza) recommended five-to-one that Swartz be replaced.
Confused? Join the crowd.
The saga began when allegations were lobbied last year against Swartz and her team for allegedly playing favorites with vendors. The Press Democrat’s Lori Carter outlines the whole kerfuffle here. One of the tastiest tidbits from the story: “Jamie O’Brien, owner of Aztec Dahlias in Petaluma, said he has been told he can only bring two buckets of blooms because others — including board members — also sell flowers. “Five or six of the board members are vendors themselves, which is very skewed,” O’Brien said. “If somebody comes along that is competing with the board members, they won’t let them in.”
A call for proposals seeking new managers, according to the Index-Tribune resulted in only two applications (one from the existing market managers and one from a group called Fair Bounty). Despite the CSEC’s backing and a a compelling call for composting, recycling and a more inclusive policy on vendors, existing vendors and the council were underwhelmed with Fair Bounty’s proposed plans to significantly expand the market and potentially raise vendor fees.
A gem from yesterday’s Index-Tribune article: “May I suggest,” said 12-year vendor Dyani Bachelder, “if Fair Bounty wins the proposal they rename their event Wine, Food and Art Gala and hold it on Friday night to draw the tourist and the party crowd.” Ouch.
But its not a complete victory for Swartz, who will be responsible for enacting “long list of conditions” according to the Index-Tribune as part of her continued tenure — at the top of which is a more open relationship with the community.
Skeptics, however, are remaining just that — skeptical that the old guard will make good on their promises of reform. Whatever the case, it seems the fat lady hasn’t quite finished her aria on this sticky soap opera.
I just moved to Sonoma and I’m a big-time foodie. I find the Sonoma market to be a huge disappointment, especially considering this is such a great foodie town. The vibe in the vendor area seems very repressed. It does not make sense that the managers restrict the vendors and micromanage what and how much they can bring to sell.
For goodness sakes, this is America, competition should be encouraged not discouraged.
I moved here from Oakland and the Farmers Markets there are fantastic! Huge selection, lot’s of competition = choices for the consumer.
My suggestion is take the handcuffs off of the vendors allow multiple flower, fruit and veggie vendors and encourage vendors who can bring healthy prepped foods we need more than corndogs and hummus, how about some nice bbq Beltain farms … it’s dinnertime for goodness sakes.
Farmers markets are about abundant local produce and products. I see a scarcity mentality at the Sonoma farmers market, it’s really sad. I’m gonna go to the Napa market, I heard it’s fabulous.
Com on Sonoma, let’s have a bustling, robust, chaotic, abundant market, not this repressed sad, sad place.
I don’t get it. Isn’t the purpose of market great prices for consumers, too? More than two buckets of flowers make the price of flowers drop. Lower prices equals more sales for venders. All good for everybody.
Having lived in Marin for years and loving the Farmer’s Market–on Sunday and Thursday morning at the Civic Center, it was a disappointment to attend the Sonoma plaza market. Expensive, not much of a selection and crowds of teenagers in their “goth” drag outfits, jamming up the area by the Visitors center and shouting obscenities, drinking, smoking and making a mess that volunteers have to clean up every Wednesday morning. Plus the over the hill mob of 40 year old derelicts that take over the one pretty fountain area and intimidate anyone who comes near. Toothless, tattooed and pierced, they are really a great sight for the tourist.
The one plus is that the town really turns out for a picnic and get togethers around the plaza and there is nice music. That is the only real reason to go there. As for management, it’s a hard job with lots of egos and attitudes to deal with. If ol’ Hilda wants to keep plugging away, let her. No one else even applied but a company that had no experience.
Heather, please keep on this issue! I realize you are labeled a “blogger”, but I trust you as a journalist and to keep after the real story here. Sonoma county deserves and DEMANDS a farmers market on par with the San Rafael Sunday market!! Santa Rosa is currently a joke!
I have been boycotting the farmers market for about 4 years. It just seemed to have turned into a mini lunatic woodstock. I want to buy excellent produce, healthy food and a VARIETY of great stuff to choose from. They don’t offer that so I stopped spending my hard earned $$$$ there. The powers that be that run Sonoma have long been part of the good ole boys network. However, I believe that good will prevail over bad. These two individuals have been given a second chance to amend their unfair business practices. Not quite off the subject but I do not care for gramma pizza dudes bad attitude with his pizza business. He has some issues with understanding good customer service and seems to think he is entitled to have his way even when the mistake is his. I have no faith in these two individuals to amend their dirty dealings. Still hoping for a good change!
Personally (as a 50-year-old lifelong Sonoma native) the Tuesday Night Sonoma Farmer’s Market is waaaaay more about spending time in the Plaza, meeting up with friends, and enjoying a NON-TOURIST evening in our town than it is about organic fruits, veggies, or flowers.
Judging by the Kettlecorn line, I’m not alone.
Too funny.. A Liberal Slapdown fest !
This is pathetic. Back to status quo? This group has mismanaged the market for far too long. And now, those of us who were asked to stand up at the council meetings and give our testimony have been left high and dry by the council’s gutless vote of the three cowards.
Its time to look for an alternative. Let them keep the plaza. We can create a truly innovative market that is far more successful and doesn’t play favorites or stifle competition.
To the three council member who were all talk and no action, I’m truly disgusted with you. You should be ashamed.
Thanks for nothing!
I am personally very disappointed in the Council~
5 questions were asked and the Sonoma City Council voted for the old guard!
1. Who is on the board.
2. When and where are the meetings held.
3. How to apply to the market.
4. What is the process to apply, what are the rules when accepted and what is the appeal process when denied.
5. Local vendors first.
Amazing, mean letters, bad manners, ill feelings, change was needed and yet the City of Sonoma would like to keep the old manager? Truly amazing!