The city of Madison will release a survey Monday to gather input from farmers, small business owners and entrepreneurs interested in selling goods in a public market that could be located just outside downtown Madison.
Through this survey, Mayor Paul Soglin and the City of Madison Local Food Committee want to identify vendors who would be interested in being involved in planning the Madison Public Market, according to a press release.
Soglin said it is “critical” to start conversations with vendors now, since “the interest customers will have for a Market will largely be determined by the produce and products that vendors are able to provide.”
The vendor survey is available online through Jan. 15.
While the public market is in its introductory planning phase, the Local Food Committee outlined several characteristics an indoor, year-round market in Madison would embody including providing locally produced merchandise and being open six or seven days a week, according to the statement.
Additionally, committee members would want the market to offer a combination of produce, in addition to processed and prepared foods.
The committee does not envision the market being located downtown but at a site on a major transportation route within five miles of downtown Madison, according to the statement.
Members of the Local Food Committee also want the market to be accessible and affordable for Madison residents in a range of income levels, according to the statement.
Soglin, Madison Local Food Committee members and city staff will host a press conference Monday at 1 p.m. to continue discussing a future public market in Madison and details on the survey.
