Pictured are Linnea Carlson, market director; Tory Irgang, executive director of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation; and the Rev. Luke Fodor of St Luke’s Episcopal Church. Submitted photo

The Jamestown Public Market announced it has received two major funding supports for the 2021 market season.

The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, via the Carl M. Hanson and Ann M. Lawson Fund and Edwin L. Danielson Community Service Fund, has awarded the market a grant to support its continued growth.

With a mission of growing Jamestown’s food system, the market has launched several new initiatives and programs focused on three strategic goals: Equal Food Access; Small Business Development; and Community Supported Agriculture.

Market director Linnea Carlson expresses the vision for the market’s 2021 season, “We took a look at the programs we have, and their successes and also the gaps within our community’s food system. We also realized that the market is truly an ‘incubation space’. We are excited, with the Community Foundation’s support, to grow our impact, work with our vendors and other community entrepreneurs, and support local farmers through our new programs and events.”

The market will be conducting several “Small Business Development” events, streamed via Facebook, aimed at sharing vendor success stories as well as resources for area business owners and entrepreneurs. The first of these events, occurring in April, was a large success and featured area businesses Biodome Project and Crown Street Roasting. A second event, focused on the importance of branding for area business owners and market vendors, is set for July 22.

The public market has also launched it’s “Eat Fresh, Do Good CSA.” The program, designed to support the operational costs of the Mobile Market, offers weekly produce shares to community members.

In addition to support from the community foundation, the Public Market also announces the approval of a dedicated fund from the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation. JRC Board of Directors voted in January of 2021 to create a fund specific for the Jamestown Public Market. This fund will provide $10,000 in discretionary monies distributed per year over the next five years.

The $50,000 total will provide stability for the market’s operational capacity, while continuing JRC’s vision of a vibrant downtown.

“We are happy to continue to evolve our partnership with the JRC,” Carlson said. “This fund will provide a solid foundation with which our programs can build over the next five years.”

The Jamestown Public Market saw a 68% increase in sales for the 2020 season, with just under 400 individuals visiting the Mobile Market program. The Saturday market is open along Third Street from 10 AM to 2 PM, with the Mobile Market operating throughout the city each Wednesday. Individuals can visit www.jtownpublicmarket.org