Fondy Food Center to Start First Pop-Up Farmers Market at Schlitz Park
Weekly Farmers Market Starts Thursday June 25th
Milwaukee, WI, May 27, 2015 – Fondy Food Center, a well-known nonprofit whose mission is to connect neighborhoods to fresh, local food, will start its first pop-up farmers market at Schlitz Park on Thursday, June 25th. The weekly market will run Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on N. 2nd St. in front of Brewhouse Square through the end of October. Each week, a rotating list of three to four local farmers from Fondy’s longstanding Fond du Lac Ave. market will sell mostly produce.
Like Schlitz Park, the origin of the Fondy Farmers Market is rich in history starting in 1917 when the now defunct Milwaukee Chair Co. donated a parcel of land to the City of Milwaukee for a new green market. The company’s primary motivation then was to give employees an opportunity to buy fresh produce directly from local farmers. The market eventually expanded and was moved to its current location with the Fondy Food Center taking over management in 2001.
“We embrace the Fondy mission and share the motivation of the market’s original benefactor,” said Schlitz Park Tenant Relations Director Suzy Pitzo. “We want to provide our tenants with the opportunity to shop at work for fresh, locally grown and affordable produce. Partnering with Fondy brings added convenience to Schlitz Park tenants and neighbors with a unique amenity that reinforces our commitment to health and wellbeing.”
Shoppers will be able to pay with cash or debit and credit for their purchases. Fondy’s decision to launch its first pop-up market at Schlitz Park is a key element of an updated strategic plan that focuses on expanding the nonprofit’s impact in the broader Milwaukee community.
“The Fondy Farmers Market has been a true intersection of food and community, health and heritage, and cultural diversity,” said Young Kim, Fondy’s executive director. “Against a backdrop of greenspace and historic architecture, the new Schlitz Park market adds another gathering place where shoppers can meet the farmers that have grown their produce and tenants can meet each other.”
Kim also noted the Schlitz Park Farmers Market will provide a new economic opportunity for the more than 30 produce vendors from Fondy’s main farmers market.
The Schlitz Park Farmers Market is the latest in a growing array of health and wellness tenant amenities at the 46-acre riverfront office complex including three free fitness centers, onsite wellness coaches and daily bike rentals. June is an especially active month for Schlitz Park with the start of free Savvy City Cycling Bike Classes and Tours for tenants in partnership with the Wisconsin Bike Fed as well as the annual Schlitz Park Criterium bicycle race and Schlitz Park Miler Run and Walk.
