Park Ridge Farmers Market Committee Meeting – June 17, 2026

The Farmers Market Committee met Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Finance Conference Room. The committee approved the May 20, 2026, minutes, discussed protecting the market logo and purchasing picnic tables, and approved both actions. Subcommittee reports covered marketing plans, the National Farmers Market Week passport promotion, operations, and nearby development activity.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the May 20, 2026, meeting by voice vote with no opposition.

Public Comments & Testimony

• None. No citizens wished to be heard on non-agenda items.

Discussion Items

• Market Logo: Staff reported that vendors have been using the market logo in their own promotions and that the logo is not currently protected. The city attorney recommended protecting it in a manner similar to other city emblems and logos, which would require city council action. Members discussed that state trademark registration costs $5 every five years, that vendors could likely continue using the logo appropriately, and that protection would help prevent someone else from trademarking it. The committee expressed general support for pursuing protection.
• Picnic Tables: Staff requested additional picnic tables from the park district after the first market, but the park district had spent its picnic table budget for the year. The park district said the city/market could purchase up to five additional tables for Cumberland Park: four regular picnic tables and one ADA-accessible table. There are already two ADA tables in the park. The tables cost $1,175 each, for a total of $5,875. Staff noted the market's budget is healthy, with roughly $20,000 remaining after current spending; the committee also saves money by not paying for portable toilets. Members discussed winter storage, how to distinguish city-owned tables from park district tables, and the placement of city-owned round tables on city property rather than in the park. Staff said storage and details would be discussed with the park district if the committee approved the purchase.

Action Items

• Motion to Protect Market Logo: Motion made and seconded to pursue protecting the market logo through city council. Approved by voice vote with no opposition.
• Motion to Purchase Picnic Tables: Motion made and seconded to purchase five picnic tables, with one being ADA-compliant. Approved by voice vote with no opposition.

Sub-Committee Reports

• Finance: No report. The finance department had not yet provided the requested breakdown separating SNAP data; staff committed to follow up.
• Marketing & Communications: The library display for the month is up. The Poster Paparazzi contest has not received a June entry yet. Red spatulas will be given out for Fourth of July along with flags and small American Eagles. The passport promotion for National Farmers Market Week, which takes place during the first two weekends in August, was discussed: patrons receive a sticker per purchase, complete a passport, and enter to win a gift basket. A donation to New Hope would earn two stickers. The committee decided to hold gift basket drawings at the end of each of the two weekends, with non-winning entries carrying over to the second weekend.
• Operations: Staff noted ongoing support for the market and a separate community outreach event that evening. Some market tents have been lost this year, and additional tent purchases may be needed. A member suggested buying a color tent for the kids' tent.
• Special Events: New Hope is scheduled to participate during one of the National Farmers Market Week weekends.

Old Business / Development Update

• The city council's effort to acquire the AT&T lots on Prairie Avenue remains active but is expected to be a slow process.
• A separate proposal for a hotel, shared parking garage, and multifamily housing on Third Street had a hearing the previous Tuesday. The hearing was continued to July 28, 2026. The commission reportedly expressed general support for the redevelopment and was pleased that the developer obtained options on all nine houses, totaling nearly two acres, after earlier feedback about not splitting the block. Unanswered questions and data inconsistencies remain, so the developer was asked to refine the proposal. Committee members noted a future construction site could affect the market, and residents were encouraged to attend the July 28 hearing.

New Business

• A committee member raised the idea of expanding the "buy two, give one" donation promotion beyond the current Farmers Market Week, noting that New Hope already collects unsold produce from vendors at the end of every market. Discussion covered using a dedicated donation box, engaging New Hope in children's activities or special event weeks, and whether to involve other local organizations such as township food pantries or Park Ridge blessing boxes. No formal decision was made, and members agreed to keep considering the idea.
• A community member emailed asking for the online farmers market map to be updated. Staff will check whether the interactive map can be updated in-house.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the May 20, 2026, meeting minutes.
• Approved pursuing market logo protection through city council.
• Approved purchasing five picnic tables, including one ADA-compliant table, at a total cost of $5,875.
• Determined that National Farmers Market Week passport gift basket drawings will be held at the end of each weekend, with entries carrying over.
• Staff will follow up on the SNAP breakdown, online map update, picnic table storage discussions with the park district, and monitor the Third Street development hearing on July 28, 2026.