Coordinator hired for Springfield Community Market

Springfield On The Move has hired a part-time coordinator for the Springfield Community Market, a downtown farmers’ market that started last year.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20110128/NEWS02/701289931

Published January 28, 2011 in the Rutland Herald

Coordinator hired for Springfield Community Market

By Susan Smallheer
Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield On The Move has hired a part-time coordinator for the Springfield Community Market, a downtown farmers’ market that started last year.

Carol Lighthall, executive director of the downtown organization announced that John Lomachinsky of Baltimore has been hired as market manager. An informational meeting about the market will be held Feb. 9 at Apron Strings Café at 7 p.m.

Lighthall said Thursday that Lomachinsky’s hiring was a commitment on the part of Springfield On The Move to help the local seasonal market grow.

Lomachinsky said he and his wife had a small farm in Baltimore, and they raised chickens with rotational grazing. He said they raised both layers and broilers, and also had a vegetable garden, and knew well the challenges of small farmers bringing food to market.

Lomachinsky said he had 16 years experience in direct marketing of agricultural products, and had worked as the manager on a large farm that sold Christmas trees, pumpkins and squash and strawberries and blueberry pick-your-own operations in season in southern Connecticut.

He and his wife moved to Baltimore three years ago, and established Springmore Farm in Baltimore. He said last summer they had about 200 layers and 200 broilers, and 50 turkeys, and marketed their animals and eggs right off the farm. “We sell to local bed and breakfasts, and when we have extra, we sell to the Springfield Food Coop,” Lomachinsky said.

Lomachinsky said he had a degree in small business management from Western Connecticut State University. He said the position was designed to strengthen the Saturday market, which had about 25 vendors throughout the season last year.

“We’re hoping we can expand,” he said.

He said one goal was to diversify the offerings at the market, which have been held in the downtown parking lot once owned by Chittenden Bank, but now owned by People’s United.

He said the market had a variety of produce, meats and cheese, and some artisans and craftspeople.

“We’re trying to get a diverse offering, one-stop shopping experience,” he said.

The Feb. 9 meeting is designed to encourage participation in the community market, Lighthall said. She noted that becoming a vendor at the market can make a significant different in household income, and the market is a convenience and low-cost way to try out a business concept or product.

“We’re trying to reach out to people who have a business idea and want to try and see if their idea works,” he said.

He said the market would likely remain from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, “We’re still working on that, but I’m 99 percent sure,” he said. The market is expected to start in early summer and last until early October.

Lomachinsky can be reached for additional information about the market at 263-5390, or e-mail at springfieldcommunitymarket@gmail.com.

Carol Lighthall, Executive Director of Springfield on the Move, Springfieldís Downtown Revitalization Program, makes two important announcements related to the Springfield Community Market. John Lomachinsky of Baltimore, Vt. has been hired as the Market Manager, and a market information meeting open to the public is scheduled for Wednesday, February 9^th at 7PM hosted by Apron Strings CafÈ.