Debate grows over second farmers market proposal in Three Rivers

A proposal to launch a second farmers market in Three Rivers will go before the City Commission on Tuesday, April 21, after city staff denied an initial request to hold monthly market events at Scidmore Park.

What began as a request to use park space has since developed into a broader public debate over downtown priorities, city process, and whether Three Rivers can support two farmers markets at once.

Three Rivers has an established weekly market operated by the Huss Project. Supporters of the proposed Scidmore Park market say a second event could create more activity downtown, and offer families another community gathering space. Critics, including some existing vendors, say the city may not have enough customers or vendors to sustain both long term.

City manager recommends commission back denial

According to the newly posted April 21 agenda packet, City Manager Joe Bippus is recommending commissioners “accept administration position on the farmers market application.” 

The agenda packet includes a memo explaining staff’s reasoning. It states the proposed market lacked formal authorization from the Downtown Development Authority board, no detailed plan was provided for budget, staffing, vendor coordination or insurance, and that a farmers market already operates in the community without any analysis showing additional demand or community benefit. The memo also cites limited staffing capacity and says city resources are better focused on programming the recently completed amphitheater. 

The memo adds that staff would remain open to supporting the proposal in the future if organizers obtain formal DDA approval, create a detailed work plan, identify funding and staffing responsibilities, and coordinate with existing community efforts.

What organizers are proposing

During the April 7 City Commission meeting, Downtown Development Authority Vice Chair John “Charlie” Wolgamood asked commissioners to reconsider the denial.

Wolgamood said organizers are seeking permission to host a monthly Sunday market at Scidmore Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., beginning as early as late April and continuing through September.

According to his application, the event would feature roughly 20 to 25 vendors, food trucks, live music and family activities.

The city’s denial letter stated, “After review, the City is unable to approve the request. The Huss Project already has an established Farmers Market at Huss School, and due to limited City resources and scheduling capacity, we cannot support an additional recurring market-style event at this time.”

Wolgamood argued the market would not require city support.

“We’re not asking for anything from the city, we just want the keys so we can use the bathroom,” he said during the April 7 meeting.

Wolgamood said vendor fees of $20 per event would be used for signs, music, and incidental costs, and said organizers would handle setup and cleanup. He added that the DDA would manage funds.

He has also argued the Sunday market could help draw people downtown on a slower day of the week, promote other local events, and provide a family-friendly community activity.

Mayor Angel Johnston has publicly encouraged residents to attend the April 21 meeting or email commissioners with their opinions on the proposal. She and Commissioner Lucas Allen were in support of the market at the April 7 meeting.

Can Three Rivers support two markets?

That question now sits at the center of the debate.

The proposal comes as the Huss Project already operates a weekly Saturday farmers market in Three Rivers from June through September, running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Supporters of the proposed Scidmore Park market argue a Sunday event could attract a different audience, and create more selling opportunities for vendors. Some vendors associated with the existing market are skeptical.

Local farmer and Huss market vendor Austin Kane said in a Facebook post that a second market could divide customers and place additional burdens on growers.

“This new market seeks to hurt me and other local growers by splitting our customers between two markets forcing me to possibly give up my entire weekend by attending two markets and either selling older produce on Sunday or having to harvest a second time on Saturday all for the same amount of sales,” Kane wrote.

Kane also said the proposal could hurt a nonprofit that stepped in when the city no longer operated a market.

“It also hurts a local nonprofit that stepped up when the city no longer supported a market, they built up infrastructure and staff to do what was needed and created something beautiful.”

Kane added a disclaimer in the post saying he formerly worked for Huss but no longer does, and that his views were his own and did not represent the organization or its governing board.

Gabe Bauman-Baker, co-owner of Full Circle Farm, said he also questions whether Three Rivers has enough customer demand to support two markets.

“I can’t imagine that there’s enough of a customer base in Three Rivers to support two farmers markets,” Bauman-Baker told Watershed Voice.

Bauman-Baker said Full Circle Farm sold at the former city-run market and later moved to the Huss market after the city discontinued it.

He said the Huss market works for his family because vendors can drop off produce for Huss staff to sell, allowing them to participate locally while also attending another market in Portage on Sundays.

Bauman-Baker also contrasted how markets handled the COVID-19 pandemic. He said Portage market managers created clear distancing and food-safety rules for vendors, while the Three Rivers market at the time appeared to leave decisions largely to vendors themselves. He said he plans to attend Tuesday’s commission meeting to voice concerns and hear more details about the proposal.

Existing Huss Market model

The Huss Project market uses a different operating model than many traditional farmers markets.

Vendors may either sell their own goods or drop products off for Huss staff to sell through a centralized checkout system. According to Huss Project representatives, vendors who drop off products pay a 10% fee, while vendors who sell their own goods pay 8%. Cottage Food vendors are required by law to sell their own products.

The Huss Project said vendor fees help cover promotion, special events, maintenance, staffing, food assistance programming and credit card processing fees. The organization said the average vendor fee last season was $113 for the full 20-market season.

The market also accepts SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, and other food assistance benefits.

How Three Rivers got here

Three Rivers previously operated its own farmers market at Scidmore Park, the same location now being proposed for the new monthly market.

The city-run market served as the community’s primary market for years and included produce vendors, growers, and small businesses.

According to the Huss Project, the organization began participating there as a vendor in 2013, representing several local growers in addition to selling products from its own farm.

City records show Three Rivers invested public resources into the market during that time. In 2014, the city received a $3,850 grant funded through the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for the Three Rivers Farmers’ Market.

According to a February 4, 2014 city commission agenda packet, the funds were intended to support vendor training, state certification, equipment to accept SNAP payments and operating costs. 

The city-run market continued until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many public events.

In a June 4, 2020 Facebook post, organizers announced the market would not operate that season, citing pandemic-related challenges and reduced vendor participation.

The post also encouraged residents to support the Saturday market being hosted at Huss, noting the organization had been a longtime vendor in the city market, and had strong relationships with local farmers.

Following that cancellation, the Huss Project began operating its own market at the former Huss School site on Eighth Street. That market has continued since then and now serves as Three Rivers’ primary recurring farmers market.

Huss Project statement

On Thursday, April 16, the Huss Project released its first public statement regarding the proposed new market. The statement reads in full:

“The Huss Project joined the Three Rivers farmer’s market as a vendor at Scidmore Park in 2013. We represented several local growers—including our own farm—there for seven years.

“In 2020, COVID created a big challenge for the city-run farmer’s market. With the city’s blessing, the Huss Project filled the gap to continue the weekly market. At that time, the market moved to the old Huss School at 8th and Broadway and shifted to Saturdays—a time change that many of our customers had requested.

“Since 2020, the Huss Project Farmers Market has grown like crazy! In 2025, we had 22 vendors and three Certified Market Managers. We’ve added live music, food trucks, and family-friendly events. We also support five different food access programs, including SNAP. The Huss Project market has enjoyed working in partnership with the city. We look forward to serving our community again in 2026 starting June 6!

“A group of volunteers with Downtown Three Rivers is looking at starting a new monthly event in Scidmore Park. They included the Huss Project in an early meeting since their event would include local farm vendors. Huss Project market staff have met with this group to share ideas and learning. We know how much work it is to run a market, and we also know the rewards of creating fun community spaces with food and art. We wish this group all the best as they work out whether the pieces can come together to support their vision.

“Wherever you get your food, please seek out local growers at our amazing markets and farm stands. One of the beautiful, unique things about our region is how many kinds of food we can grow. It can only continue with YOUR support!”

What happens next

The Three Rivers City Commission is scheduled to discuss the matter during its April 21 meeting. Commissioners could choose to back staff’s denial, request additional information or give further direction on the proposal.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.

Disclaimer: Austin Kane also serves on the Main Street Media Group Board of Directors. Any views or opinions expressed by Austin in this article are his, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Watershed Voice staff or its board of directors.