ELLENTON
Phil Pagano has his sights set on Ellenton for a farmers market.
The former manager of the Downtown Sarasota Farmers Market, who left after he was fired during a political shakeup by the Sarasota Downtown Partnership in March, is starting his own gathering where vendors can sell their goods.
The Sarasota Downtown Partnership released Pagano to the dismay of many vendors, who elected him in 2007 as the first market manager. Pagano said he often had 100 vendors on a waiting list for the Downtown Sarasota Farmers Market, and he saw potential for the same kind of success in north Manatee County.
“We thought it would be a great spot for a farmers market and great for Manatee County,” said Pagano, who is partnering with the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex to host the market.
The Ellenton Farmers Market, which is set for a grand opening June 13, will be held in the north parking lot of the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex. The farmers market will be held every Saturday from 7 a.m.-noon.
The Ellenton Farmers Market will have 100 spaces for vendors. So far, Pagan said he has at least 25 registered.
In conjunction with the farmers’ market, Pagano will host a vendor franchise fair for small businesses that are looking to expand by having others sell their products.
“Farmers markets are doing great,” Pagano said. “There’s a big outlet for it as people try to cut back on food.”
Randy True, owner of True Family Farms in Parrish, was among the first to register as a vendor for Ellenton Farmers Market.
True said the market will give his farm an opportunity to up its sales of vegetables and planters.
“What I make my living on is the produce club,” True said. Those who join the produce club pay an annual fee to have access to the farm every Saturday morning to buy produce by the bushels.
True Family Farms uses about half an acre to grow produce above ground in planters, which True calls stackers.
With an estimated 15,000 plants on his farm, True projects he’ll have plenty of fresh goods to bring to the Ellenton Farmers Market.
“Right now I’ve got so much produce I’m selling to wholesalers,” True said. “But I want to sell more of it directly to the public.”
Pagano says the focus of his farmers market will be eco-friendly materials and goods.
The Ellenton Farmers Market will reserve 20 vendor spaces for those who sell goods such as environmentally-friendly fertilizer, cleaning products and household items. He wants some vendors to include public service booths for topics such as recycling, water restrictions or heath and wellness.
Rhoda Waiss, a health coach, has registered as a vendor to promote health and wellness at the Ellenton Farmers Market.
Waiss says she plans to give half-hour presentations on topics such as nutrition and fitness.
“This venue is just a perfect fit to help others,” Waiss said. “They’ll be health minded and eco-friendly minded, and this market gives the merchants an opportunity to reach the general public.”
For more on the Ellenton Farmers Market, contact Pagano at (941) 504-1077.
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