The market, which will be located on PlTree Road, is designed to offer flexibility for participants, allowing them to engage on a full season, biweekly, or even trial basis for a day. The commission members, whose names and statements are not confirmed from the transcript, showed a keen interest in a diverse array of products including dairy, fruit, meat, eggs, and homemade items such as jams and jellies. In response to a presentation by guest speaker Vera Craig, there was also an active discussion about attracting crafters to partake in the market, further diversifying the offerings to the community.

Efforts to advertise the upcoming market were also discussed, with strategies including leveraging social media and local high school involvement for entertainment. The commission considered reaching out to local churches to announce the market, thus increasing its visibility. Additionally, there was talk about a collaboration with a crafter’s website for advertising purposes.

Another topic that garnered attention was the community garden, with plans to manage invasive species and improve accessibility. The commission proposed a “plant a row” program to encourage donations of fresh produce to the food pantry, especially in light of increased demand.

Technical difficulties arose during the meeting when some participants experienced challenges with the Zoom video feed. The issue was acknowledged and addressed, with efforts made to ensure effective communication amongst participants.

The meeting also addressed several upcoming events and initiatives, such as the first annual Southwick SPI up, a community clean-up event scheduled for May 18th. The logistics of providing safety vests for volunteers were debated. The commission also mentioned the Southwick Civic Fund and Food Pantry pancake breakfast event, hosted by the fire and police departments.

Discussions extended to the new board commission and committee handbook, which included the potential use of electronic signatures to acknowledge receipt. Additionally, Open Farm Day planning was a subject of debate, focusing on the marketing material updates, with suggestions of incorporating QR codes on flyers and considering the storage capacity of the commission’s website for archiving photos from the event. The practicality of using high-resolution photos on the website was discussed, alongside the idea of creating a photo montage to document the day.

Open Farm Day 2024 was also a focal point, particularly regarding the event’s cost, design, sponsorships, and the possibility of customizing thank-you signs for sponsors. The commission debated the timeline for farmer participation and the need for early confirmation to avoid rush printing prices. The Economic Development Commission (EDC) and the Southwick Land Trust were proposed as co-sponsors, with motions for their involvement being made.

The commission highlighted the urgency to secure sponsorships for an upcoming event, aiming to raise $2,500. The importance of creating a sponsorship brochure and securing financial commitments well in advance was emphasized to prevent last-minute scrambling. The commission deliberated over potential advertising mediums and the necessity to make decisions based on the available funds. Furthermore, there was a discussion about the commission’s tax-exempt status and a website plan funded by an individual named Sage. Frustrations were aired about the tax exemption process for town entities and vendors, with a call for the town to streamline these processes.