Public Markets

Workshops & Sessions

Through speakers, workshops and breakout sessions, attendees explored topics relating to this conference’s theme: reconnecting local economies and communities, as well as practical how-to sessions for new and experienced market managers.

Podcasts are now available for several conference sessions. Please note that most sessions were accompanied by Powerpoint presentations. Due to technical issues, sound quality, while generally very good, does vary.

Conference Welcome

Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture

Opening Plenary   DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST

“Urban Markets as a Catalyst for Stimulating Regional Food Systems”

A conversation with:
Sibella Kraus, founder and president, Sustainable Agriculture Education (SAGE) and founder of CUESA
Jordi Tolrà i Mabilon, director of communications, Mercats de Barcelona (Markets of Barcelona, Spain)
David Smith, director of markets, City of London Corporation (invited)

Hosted by: Michael Krasny of KQED

Workshop Sessions

Session topics and speakers included:

  •  “Greening” Your Market: how to incorporate and support recycling, composting, and other environmental efforts at your market.
    •   DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST

    • Moderator: John Turnbull, director of asset management, Pike Place Market
    • Amelia Spilger, marketing and public relations, Marin Farmer Market
    • Dave Stockdale, executive director, CUESA
    • Robert J. Pickford, president and CEO, Corporation for Findlay Market

  • Markets as Community Anchors: how to integrate the market socially, physically and economically into the community.
    •   DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST

    • Moderator: Dr. Oran Hesterman, Fair Food Network
    • Steve Davies, senior vice president, PPS – report on the W. K. Kellogg and Ford Foundation Grant Program
    • Tom Limon, public market manager, The Unity Council
    • Raymond Djimasbe Ngarbou and Othello Wesse, Central Market for Global Families

  • Building Local Food Systems: how communities are re-linking local production to wholesale and retail opportunities.
    • • Moderator: Patty Cantrell, entrepreneurial agricultural director, Michigan Land Use Institute
    • Gail Whiting Feenstra, Ed.D., R.D., food systems analyst, University of California, Davis
    • Melanie Cheng, Farmsreach
    • Leslie Schaller, business counselor, ACEnet

  • Marketing Your Market: stretch your market’s budget with these fresh ideas and creative marketing strategies.
    •   DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST

    • Moderator: Robin Lester, manager of marketing and communications, Project for Public Spaces
    • Gail Hayden, director, California Farmers Market Association
    • Chris Curtis, director, Neighborhood Farmers Market Association
    • Anna Curtin, education and events manager, Portland Farmers Market

  • Lessons from Abroad: learn from our International colleagues who have been re-investing in their historic public markets.
    •   DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST

    • Moderator: Helen Tangires, center administrator, National Gallery of Art
    • Jordi Torrades, general manager and Jordi Tolrà i Mabilon, director of communications, Mercats de Barcelona (Markets of Barcelona, Spain)
    • Levente Kiss, marketing specialist, Hall and Market Management of the Municipality of Budapest, Hungary
    • Jeh-hong Ryu, Committee for the Regeneration of Traditional Markets in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Korean government

  • There’s money out there!: conventional and unconventional ways for markets to fundraise.
    •   DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST

    • Moderator: Morten Jensen, architect, JRDV Architects
    • Carol Binder, Pike Place Market
    • Jennifer McTiernan H., executive director, CitySeed, Inc.
    • Dick Ramsdell, director, Flint Farmers Market

  • The Re-emergence of the Market District: both old and new districts are growing around the country and offering new wholesale and retail opportunities for their surrounding communities.
    •   DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST

    • Moderator: Fred Kent, president, Project for Public Spaces
    • Sev Araujo, manager of leasing and properties, Granville Island Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    • Daniel S. Carmody, president, Eastern Market Corporation

  • High Hopes for Low-Income, Neighborhood Markets: learn how market management can stimulate growth and success through long-term planning, commitment, and funding strategies.
    •   DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST

    • Moderator: Aley Kent, field coordinator, Heifer International – Northern US Program
    • Jason Harvey, founder/executive director, Oakland Food Connection
    • Daniel Ross, executive director, Nuestras Raíces
    • Karen Washington, La Familia Verde

  • Growing Great Vendors: tips from experts about how to work with diverse types of vendors to make their businesses and the market more successful.
    •   DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST

    • Moderator: David K. O'Neil, senior associate, Project for Public Spaces
    • Eileen Nichols, Webb City Farmers Market
    • Doug Hayden, California Farmers Market Association

  • Friends in High Places: learn the importance of, and ways to, forge strong partnerships with municipalities and local businesses to ensure a strong market and good community relations.
    •   DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST

    • Moderator: Egon Terplan, economic development and governance policy director, SPUR
    • Karen Beach, Urban Development/Good Neighbors, General Services Administration
    • Christopher Meany, partner and developer of the Ferry Building, Wilson Meany Sullivan
    • Dr. Alfonso Morales, assistant professor of urban and regional planning, University of Wisconsin at Madison and founder of The Open Air Market Network (invited)
    • Marcel Van Ooyen, executive director, Council of the Environment of New York City (CENYC)

  • Other Markets, Other Voices: it’s not just food! See how adding additional products, such as crafts, antiques and holiday items can grow your market, and how to operate non-food markets in today’s economy.
    •   DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST

    • Moderator: Kathy Madden, senior vice president, Project for Public Spaces
    • Hank Holliday, owner, City Market Preservation Trust, LLC, Charleston City Market
    • Michael Berman, executive director, Diverse Markets Management
    • Bill Webb, market manager, Anchorage Market and Festival
    • Howard Lazar, program director - Street Artists Market, The San Francisco Arts Commission

  • How Does Your Market Grow?: Discover research and evaluation tools/methods to help you assess and improve your market.
    •   DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST

    • Moderator: Elvin Padilla, executive director, Tenderloin Economic Development Project
    • Kelly Williams, senior associate, Project for Public Spaces
    • Larry Lund, principal, Real Estate Planning Group
    • Garry Stephenson, associate professor – coordinator, extension small farms program, Oregon State University

  • Markets, Food Access & SNAP: learn how markets are implementing creative and hopeful projects to increase access to fresh and healthy food.
    • • Moderator: Linda Shak, program manager, Prevention Institute
    • Errol Bragg, director, Marketing Services Division, USDA – Agriculture Marketing Service
    • Darlene Wolnik, director of marketshare, Market Umbrella
    • Claudia Corchado, project coordinator, Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program - Merced County