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As a longtime vendor at the Albert Lea Farmers Market, I have advocated in the past for public restrooms in the area near the farmers market and the splashpad. Some time back, there was a public referendum vote on three projects, the City Arena, Marion Ross building, and public restrooms in that area. The diagram then of the proposed restroom building showed a building somewhat like the shelter house at Pioneer Park, with an overhanging roof on one end for picnic tables, etc. This structure received overwhelming public approval (over 70% approval, I believe). Now that the city is getting closer to putting up this building, their proposal now will include only restrooms and a storage area (supposedly for the farmers market although we have never requested that as our present little Red Barn is working well for us), and we cannot afford any possible rent fees that might result from this.)

The Albert Lea Farmers Market operates as a nonprofit 501(c)3, and operates with an extremely low budget. The past two years we ended up with a deficit, and board members had to offset this with their own money until vendor fees are received. The city has a contract with the market to use the lot, and when we originally came to this location, there was no charge for the use of the lot. This changed, and the last few years we paid $200, and the contract needs to be renewed this year and could even possibly increase.

Each year it seems to get more difficult to financially fund a farmers market, and I do think we offer a real benefit to the city of Albert Lea. We currently have two children’s programs, Market Sprouts and Power of Produce, to provide a financial incentive to families to come to the market and to eat healthier. Both of these are dependent on grant funding and have been a real benefit to our vendors and customers. We also offer the option of using SNAP/EBT benefits at the market, and in recent years, they can not only use their benefit cards at the market but will triple the amount of their benefits (meaning they can get three times as much food at the market with the same benefit card as they would get at grocery stores). We also accept WIC and Senior Farmers Market Benefit vouchers at the market. These programs help some of our lower-income people get the most food, and it is local healthy food, and also helps the local economy.

I have checked with the Worth County Development Authority (funded by Diamond Jo Casino), and was encouraged to apply for a grant for building a structure, but this application would have to be filled out by the city of Albert Lea. They could get all the necessary information by contacting the Worth County Development Office (Deb Hanson) in Northwood. Some groups in Albert Lea have received rather substantial funding from this. The next applications can be submitted this fall, with grant money awarded Nov. 15.

The structure I would like to see built would include not only the restrooms, perhaps some necessary storage, but also a roof overhang on the opposite end that could have some picnic tables there, or could be used by groups providing entertainment and needing electrical outlets and overhead shelter from the weather, and I am hoping it could be placed on the lot somewhat centrally but with minimum destruction of trees, etc. This is a beautiful location, well traveled streets on each side, overlooks beautiful Fountain Lake, and deserves an attractive and functional building. And even if applying for a grant could delay this building another year, I think we need to have a building that will best serve the public for many years in the future and add to the beauty of the area.

If you agree, let your City Council members, mayor and city manager, etc. know how you feel about this.

Thank you.

Verlys Huntley
Albert Lea