Interview: Charlotte "Lotty" Roozekrans with Winooski Farmers Market

If you could please state your name and title? If you could also spell it for me that would be great!
      Charlotte "Lotty" Roozekrans, Winooski Farmers Market Manager

How did you get involved in Winooski Farmers Market?
      I got involved with the Winooski farmers market 4 and half years ago. I got involved because of a boss of mine at the the time. She was on the board of directors for the Winooski Community Partnership and also a business owner in Winooski, where I worked at the time. She had hopes of being the market manager and quickly realized with being a business owner and juggling many other things in her life, that being the market manager would be too much to add to her plate. She suggested I apply for the position since she felt like I would be fit for the role. I applied and was hired to take on the project of revitalizing the Winooski Farmers Market. I was hired in mid March and little did I know that I had a lot of work ahead and was very behind in the planning process. I also didn't have the slightest idea of what to prioritize, since so many aspects of bringing this market back to life were of utmost importance; like advertising and market promotion, finding vendors, securing musicians to play, creating an application, vendor contracts, creating events, etc.  

How long have you been a part of it?
      4 1/2 years
How prominent do you feel that sustainable living and local foods is in Vermont?
      I feel the foundation of Vermont was built on sustainable living and local foods, although at the time it wasn't seen as this and rather just an honest and intelligent way of living. Vermont is an incredibly unusual and sacred place and has always attracted those who value family, supporting themselves from the land and preserving the environment. I feel sustainable living and local foods are incredibly prominent in Vermont and growing every year. There is a wealth of knowledge to be gained from old and true farming practices and we are finding more and more young farmers taking a stab at returning back to the land and starting their own venture. People are realizing that not only is creating a simpler life the way to go, but that there is hard earned money to be made in the agriculture as folks all over the state and country are focusing their efforts on being healthier and removing themselves from mass pesticide/herbicide use and genetic modification of foods. 

 How do you feel Vermont would be without it?
      Its hard to picture, really. I see Vermont being overrun by billboards and big box stores if it wasn't for the many grassroots organizations, activists and strong political figures who have played a key role in keeping Vermont the truly unique and sacred place that it is. We bills and laws in place and many more down the road to help preserve this land as best we can. Its not perfect by any means, but sure am happy to live here.

How long has Winooski had its own farmers' market?
      Since 2005. It used to be on Thursday afternoon/evenings and in 2011 we decided the market day had to be moved for convenience sake. We really wanted to create a community event where families and friends could gather and Thursday just didn't work, since there are so many leaving work and the rotary is a very congested.
 
Where is it usually held and does it work in coalition with any other markets?
      It is held in front of the Champlain Mill on the green and sidewalk. It has become known as the Champlain Mill Green.

How many local farms and businesses does it support and source from?
      In the height of the summer we have around 27 to 28 vendors on any given Sunday and later in the summer and fall months we usually scale down to 20-23 vendors. Of these vendors usually 60 % are agriculturally related. This past summer we had 5 vegetable farmers, 2 meat farmers, a dairy farmer producing cheese, and couple more that usually fall under the umbrella of Ag.

How beneficial do you feel that it is having an organization such as a farmers' market in the community?
      Iincredibly beneficial. There are very few places to source groceries in downtown Winooski so having the Winooski Farmers market for 20 weeks from June through mid October allows for not only the community to gather and enjoy downtown Winooski, but also a source for fresh local foods all from within an average of 20 miles from Winooski.