This year brought many changes to the Bloomington Farmers Market. One new face you’ll see is Kari Ramstrom, the new Farmers Market coordinator. On Saturdays through October 23, you’ll find her making the rounds in the east parking lot of Civic Plaza, 1800 West Old Shakopee Road. On Wednesdays, from July 7 – August 18, she’ll be running at the Midweek Market at the same location.
You’ll see her working with vendors, helping with set-up and doing what it takes to make the market run smoothly. Ramstrom is eager to build community with residents, visitors and vendors.
“I look forward to the community building aspect of the market and having consumers buying produce directly from those that grow or make it,” she said. “I hope that my role will provide a high-quality, engaged market with a wide variety of vendors.”
Ramstrom feels at home at the market and with the meaningful connections to food it offers. “I have a passion for growing food, food security and food justice issues,” She said, “I am an avid community gardener and market attendee myself. I find this a unique combination of several of my passions.”
In 2021, the Bloomington Farmers Market returned to the layout used before COVID-19.
“We are bringing back community tables and the Midweek Market, which were not able to take place last year,” Ramstrom said. “I am really excited for a vibrant market season.”