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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: IS THE PROJECT ON TARGET TO MEET ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND <br />OBJECTIVES? <br />As we finish the second quarter of FY17, we are on target with our commitment and work to meet our goals and objectives. <br />We continue to be encouraged by the uptick in market-goer attendance and new vendor interest as we closed out the 2017 <br />e increased awareness about our market was facilitated in a large part by the special events we <br />hosted in the fall and at the end of the season. <br />These events included: The Chefs Cook Real Challenge Grand Finale; the Halloween Happening; and the Holiday Farmers <br />Market. They brought a lot of additional press and showed people both inside and outside of University City what our <br />farmers market is capable of providing to the community. <br />For example, the season-long Chef Challenge series that MAFM produced at area farmers markets garnered the attention <br />of the Dr. Pepper Snapple Corporation. They wanted to have a presence in the area at an event and we could provide that <br />for them by hosting the Grand Finale of our series at the Midtown Farmers Market. <br />ill not back up to the regular market attendance numbers we had before the Trolley Construction and the Social <br />House II controversy, but we hope to build on this renewed interest going into the 2017 market season <br />An additional item which was a boon to the economic development of both the farmers market as well University City was <br />the opening of the Sullivan Farms Christmas Tree Lot at our market for the November through December holiday season. <br />This very positive addition to the University City business community alleviated the potential negative impact on the market <br />and The Loop by the recent vacating of the premises by the Long Acre Farm produce stand. The Christmas Tree Lot kept <br />customers coming to the market and brought new people to the area. It was a happy place and it smelled really good too! <br /> <br /> <br />During the third quarter or the time period from January to March 2017, we will focus on the organizational plans for the <br /> the time period where seasonal, producer-only markets schedule special <br />events; recruit new vendors and farmers; renew contracts and agreements; repair equipment; apply for grants; and pursue <br />sponsorships. This is what we will focus on this quarter. <br />Our late winter/early spring schedule includes the following: <br />February 11: Vendor information meeting <br />o <br />March 4: Small late winter market <br />o <br />One of our big projects during the third quarter will be to work on our MAT-Pro project. As mentioned above we won an <br />Urban Ag and Non-Traditional Farming Grant from the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The value of this economic <br />development grant is $7500. <br />of the <br />Midtown Farmers Market in University City. Without the continued economic development support offered through the <br />EDRST grants, we would not be able to offer the wonderful benefits of the Farmers Market to University City. <br />Sincerely <br />Deborah Henderson <br /> <br />