Park Ridge Farmers Market Committee Meeting – October 21, 2026

The Farmers Market Committee of Park Ridge, Illinois, met on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in the City Hall Finance Conference Room, 505 Butler Place. Members present included Stephanie Goodridge, Karen Grunshaw, Katie Daniels, Jessica Curry, Deanne Dermopolis, Brenda Holcomb, Dee Weinke, Amy Nedich, and Wally O'Keefe. The committee approved the September 16, 2026 minutes with amendments, honored outgoing members, discussed and approved revised market rules and the vendor application, and reviewed marketing, operations, and old business.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No citizens appeared to speak on non-agenda items.

City Liaison Report

• The City Liaison thanked outgoing members Brenda Holcomb and Karen Grunshaw. Brenda, who joined the committee around March 2021, was credited with the new market logo, banners, poster contest, and social media presence. Karen was recognized for many years of service, including 5 a.m. setup to 2 p.m. teardown, advocacy for farmers, and continuing the SNAP program. A commemorative sign was presented to Karen.

Market Master and Market Manager Reports

• Karen reported that the new market tents have drawn positive comments and reduced setup work. She noted that Danielle prefers vendors to handle cleanup while staff manage storage.
• Karen reported that Rata from Kaditch collapsed at the market due to dehydration, recovered after receiving fluids, and returned home. She recommended committee members visit the market in its final two weeks before voting on vendors.
• The last market will include face painting and balloons. One or two potential food vendors are being tried out in the roughly 40–45-foot space left by Berry Berries.

Discussion Items

• Rules of Operation: Proposed changes had been reviewed with city attorneys; yellow highlights marked additions and red marked deletions. Members discussed removing the sales tax number requirement from the rules while keeping it on the application, out-of-state scale inspections, and logo-use language meant to protect the market from unauthorized or harmful use. The committee clarified that the business-license requirement applies only to businesses located in Park Ridge, allowing out-of-town vendors to be accepted.
• Vendor Application: Members reviewed the current online application. They agreed to remove question 18, update dates for 2027, refine vendor-type wording, and state that unapproved items are prohibited. Electricity instructions under vendor space fees should be made more prominent. Space requests should be specific, with four or five spaces reserved for farmers only; market masters retain discretion. Returning vendor applications should be due by January 11, with payment due by January 31.
• Application Process: Members debated opening new vendor applications in November. Karen expressed concern about stringing applicants along until March decisions, while other members argued earlier applications helped secure desirable vendors and allowed rolling decisions. Staff hoped to have the updated application online by November 1 if approved. Research on other markets, including Evanston, Glenview, Oak Park, Mount Prospect, and Arlington Heights, found most opened applications after the first of the year.

Action Items

• A motion to approve the Rules of Operation as amended was seconded and passed unanimously by voice vote.
• A motion to approve the Vendor Application as amended with the evening's noted changes was seconded and passed unanimously by voice vote.

Sub-Committee Reports

• Finance: No formal report; the committee noted it is 'spending the money.'
• Marketing & Communications: Boulevard banner replacement was deferred to January 2027 to preserve budget cushion, with all 20 boulevard banners to be replaced then. Members received updates on designer Mark Burns, magazine contacts, public works coordination, and printers. Poster contest materials were distributed to schools, park districts, and the library. A vendor contact email must go out before November 5.
• Operations: No report.
• Special Events: The final market will include face painting and balloons.

Old Business

• Banner placements at schools: Elementary District 64 responded positively, allowing banners at Emerson and possibly Roosevelt. The high school district declined fence advertising and general banner placement, but offered space in its weekly parent newsletter; the committee will continue discussions.
• The Centennial Park District pool was secured for promotional banners. Ice rink overhead banner placement was discussed but deferred.
• Picnic tables will remain with the park district at Cumberland Park for now. The committee plans to begin earlier discussions with the park district about future market use.
• An indoor winter market was raised as a possible long-term consideration.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of September 16, 2026, approved as amended.
• Rules of Operation approved as amended for the upcoming season.
• Vendor application approved as amended, with a staff target to post it online by November 1, 2026.
• Returning vendor applications are due January 11, 2027; payment is due January 31, 2027.
• The committee recognized outgoing members Brenda Holcomb and Karen Grunshaw.
• Boulevard banner replacement was deferred to January 2027.
• There was no new business, and the meeting adjourned.