COOPERSTOWN – The flood waters have receded, but the damage has already been done. And for the first time in many years – following lengthy deliberation – the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market has, for now, relaxed what is referred to in-house as its “80-20 rule.” In abidance with that rule, the objective of the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market is and has been to support locally grown produce and locally made crafts. To that end, 80 percent of the goods and produce offered by each vendor must be produced within the environs of Otsego County by that vendor, a member of the vendor’s immediate family, or by a representative of the vendor. For the remaining percentage of brokered products, there must be a sign posted to identify where those items were grown or produced. However, the market is yet another of hundreds of area flood victims. Crop devastation has been so extensive that some vendors are unable to bring their usual abundance of locally grown vegetables to market. Vendors and the market board met Saturday, July 15 to discuss the recent flooding and what effect it might have on the popular community mainstay. Discussion turned to whether or not those who suffered severe crop damage would be granted permission to bring in vegetables grown by farmers who were not similarly affected, with the intention of maintaining both the market’s variety and integrity. The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market policy toward brokered products is more stringent than those set by many other such venues. The mission of CFM growers, in particular, is to provide fresh local produce, the likes and quality of which cannot be purchased elsewhere. Some in attendance spoke about the need to protect and maintain the integrity of the market, in spite of the disaster. Others shared this concern, but felt the 80-20 rule should be amended for the season to help those growers who had sustained major crop loss as a result of flooding. Opinions varied, as several individuals were against the rule change, fearing that the quality of the market – which customers have come to expect – would be compromised. Others felt the rule should be amended for this season only, and argued that the vendors could be counted upon to ensure the integrity of the crops they sell. A vendor representative on the market board said at the meeting, “The board’s first responsibility is to the vendor; its second responsibility is to the customers. We must consider the customers before making adjustments.” He went on to insist that in the event of change, it should be made very clear to market patrons that the 80-20 rule had been suspended only as deemed absolutely necessary and as a direct result of the disaster. Another board member was adamant that if the 80-20 rule was, indeed, waived, it would be with the stipulation that all brokered vegetables would still be grown in New York State. Just as one vendor was concerned that customers would not be aware of, or would forget, the devastation caused to this area by the recent flooding, others strongly disagreed. While his business was relatively unaffected by the record high waters, one man spoke about the plight of some of his fellow vendors and of many area farmers in general. He said of the proposed rule change, “People will understand. It is most important to be up front and honest, and most customers will appreciate it for what it is. Let them vote with their feet.” When asked, two Rules Committee members were reluctant to change the 80-20 rule, but at the same time found themselves conflicted. One said he wanted no permanent change to the rule, but thought change should be allowed for special, temporary relief due to the flooding. If the 80-20 rule is suspended for this season, he said, vendors seeking relief should be able to bring to market brokered produce relative only to what they would normally have grown. He felt that brokered produce brought to market should be limited to those items listed on that vendor’s 2006 application. The second Rules Committee member said he wanted to help farmers in need and thought the market should do so on a case-by-case basis. When all was said and done, at the very heart of the matter was the heart of the market. When put to a vote, the proposed amendment was passed Saturday, July 22 by the vendors, with an overwhelming majority, 15-2. The vendors do not take this year’s temporary suspension of the 80-20 rule lightly, however, and the Rules Committee has made sure that only those growers who are truly in need will be granted this relief.
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