RESOLUTION NO. RS2016-85

A resolution requesting the Nashville Farmers Market to provide a comprehensive report to the Metropolitan Council regarding its current financial status and its capital and operational needs to guarantee future success.

WHEREAS, since its inception on the town square of Nashville in the early 1800’s, the Nashville Farmers Market has been a vital part of Nashville life; and

WHEREAS, today the Nashville Farmers Market is home to farmers, artisans, restaurateurs, shop-owners, crafters, flea merchants and special events, and it becomes home to anywhere from five to one hundred farmers during the year, depending on the season, providing farm-direct goods from plant growers, dairies, ranchers, cheese-makers and other merchants; and

WHEREAS, the Nashville Farmers Market features an interior Market House that includes sixteen (16) restaurants and shops featuring a variety of international flavors and influences, an International Market, Howell's Farm Store, and various other types of merchants during the winter; and

WHEREAS, the Nashville Farmers Market Craft & Flea Shed is home to up to 50 merchants selling everything from handcrafted items to international street foods, international goods, vintage and upcycled items and a weekend Flea Market with independent entrepreneurs selling a wide variety of items; and

WHEREAS, the Nashville Farmers Market covers 16 acres of urban land in downtown Nashville and stretches from Harrison to Jackson Streets on Rosa L. Parks Boulevard; and

WHEREAS, the continued economic vitality and operational capacity of the Nashville Farmers Market is of utmost significance to the public and to the members of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville & Davidson County, Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, the Metro Council’s Codes, Fair and Farmers Market committee has scheduled a listening tour of the Nashville Farmers Market in early 2016 for purposes of hearing the needs and concerns of the patrons, staff, administration and customers of the Nashville Farmers Market; and

WHEREAS, to exercise effective oversight, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council request a report regarding the financial and operational health of the Nashville Farmers Market.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting a comprehensive report from the Nashville Farmers Market regarding its current financial status and its capital and operational needs to guarantee its future success; said report to be submitted within thirty (30) days from the date of the approval of this Resolution.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Tasha Kennard, Director of the Nashville Farmers Market, and to each member of the Farmers’ Market Board.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Samuel Coleman, Freddie O'Connell