Volunteers Needed as Granby Farmers Market Prepares for 2013 Season

The Granby Farmers Market had such a successful inaugural season last year that it's already prepping for this year's opening on Tuesday, June 25.

The Market Committee will hold its first meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at the Farmington Valley YMCA to let potential volunteers know how they can assist or just to find out more about the market.

"Volunteers are needed for helping out on market day with setting up and breakdown, unloading and loading vendor vehicles, helping with children's activities and directing traffic," said Eugenia Drake, the site manager for the Granby Farmers Market.

"Volunteers also help with the 'behind the scenes' tasks, such as marketing and promotion, fundraisers, soliciting sponsors and maintaining community involvement, overseeing Web-based materials such as Facebook, our website and Twitter," she said. "The degree of involvement is up to the volunteer." 

Drake said the Granby Farmers Market grew out of a brainstorming session in 2010. She say Market Manager and YMCA nutritionist Alicia Newton is "passionate about bringing fresh, healthy, local food to the community."

In addition to fresh produce, the market will have guest chefs who prepare meals with ingredients from the farmers.

"We try to make it a 'one stop shopping' so you can get everything you need for your meals in one place," Drake said. "The Granby Farmers Market is fun, exciting and has a great energy to it."

Drake also said it's a great way to meet local farmers and vendors.

"The volunteers, farmers, vendors, entertainment and public are passionate about this initiative and are happy to be there," she said. "It's very friendly and lively."

The market will be held on Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Farmington Valley YMCA, 97 Salmon Brook St., Granby, starting on June 25 and ending on Sept. 10. To find out more, visit the market website or Granby Farmers Market on Facebook.

If you can't make it to the Feb. 6 meeting but would like to volunteer, contact Alicia Newton at 860-653-5524 ext. 124 or alicia.newton@ghymca.org.