Read the original article: https://www.postbulletin.com/news/local/local-idea-makers-make-pitch-for-k-in-grants/article_336ff6f8-374a-11ea-be15-a3c2c5ece803.html
"The farmers market’s partner agency, Friends of the Farmers Market, envisions a feast rounding up produce from local vendors and growers and beer and wine from local producers."
Our partner Friends of the Farmers Market (FOFM) have big things planned to celebrate local foods in 2020 with a harvest dinner! On January 14, Kristin Pearson of FOFM pitched the event at the Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) Start-Up Event Grant Pitch Night, a "Shark Tank" style event. She went toe to toe against 8 other events and in the end, FOFM was awarded $3000 from the RDA, plus $500 as the people's choice award, plus plus $250 from Majestic Tents to use for the event.
Kristin says, "Our concept was starkly different from everyone else. There multiple music festivals/art fairs vying for the same money. Both big winners had food at the heart of their events. The lure is the approachability and connection to Downtown Rochester as being a part of the bigger region of SE MN and bringing some of that regional placemaking to downtown was what sold it. We also have a good following and respect from customers, so it's likely to be successful."
You can learn more about Friends of the Farmers Market on their Web Page or Facebook Group, and sign up to help out with the event HERE or by emailing rochfarmmkt@gmail.com.