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Online or on paper, 99 shoppers responded to our survey. Here's a summary of what you told us.
- Overall98% of respondents rated the Market positively, with 63% choosing "very positive" and the other 35% saying "positive".
- Parking85% said that parking was "never" or "not often" a problem.
- Shopping at stores65% said that they shop at stores in Belmont on Market days "always" or "sometimes."
- Closing timeAbout a third said that it would be a problem if we closed at 6:00 all season instead of staying open unti 7:00 until Labor Day. We'll be discussing the pros and cons of this through the winter.
- CommunicationsIt's no surprise that most people don't subscribe to our Twitter feed (just 8%), but it's gratifying that half (49%) read Roots & Sprouts, either online or in print. The email newsletter gets 70% readership from our survey respondents. Our Facebook page and this Web site come in at about a third and a quarter, respectively.
- CommentsWe got a lot of great comments, including praise, suggestions, questions and some criticism. We'll be discussing it as we plan the seventh season.
Some of the general comments
- Great new vendors, and same good friends are back.
- I love going to the market and having our weekly night of eating only what we find there
- We are also glad to see that SNAP benefits can be used, since the food pantry only takes non-perishables.
- Limited space allows for limited amount of vendors. Volunteers do a very good job, though at maximizing the space!!
Comments about what our vendors sell and the activities
- How about more meat and fish?
- Why all the sweets and baked goods? ... More cheese, more fruit, more eggs, more prepared foods, maybe some hot food vendors -- those would be great additions.
- We hope to see more vendors offering organic produce instead of just IPM or low spray, and specialty foods made with organic ingredients.
- Might be nice to have some kid-oriented activities -- nature awareness, arts & crafts, or something.... especially in the summer months when kids have more time.
- The sparseness of the selection during the early weeks of the market may lead newcomers to think that the Farmers Market is not worth their while. Obviously as the season continues there is more selection as the crops are harvested. I don't know how you can make it feel "more full" in those early weeks, so I'm just sharing the observation.
Comments about parking and the hours
- We often walk, but on the occasions when we've brought the car we haven't had any problems.
- I work downtown and ofted don't get to the market until close to 6pm
- I think closing at 6 is very reasonable.
Comments about our communications channels
- I do browse the print version of R&S when my daughter brings it home from school, but otherwise web-based is preferred to save resources. I like the weekly email to know about musicians and other time-specific activities at the market.
- I welcome more social media use and the cross-promotion of not only other markets, but the individual vendors especially in the off season.
Comments about shopping in the Center
- Nothing makes a summer market day quite like a frappe from Ranc's.
- Rancs, wine shop, sports store, CVS, Starbucks, BofA, toy store.
- I come on my lunch 1/2 hour so I hardly have time to just do the market never mind other shopping.
- Fish market, restaurants, CVS
- Nice combo with the fresh produce & I am so glad I have both the Farmers Mkt and Frankie's to shop from right here in town.
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