As part of his efforts to promote the cultural economy in Fall River, Mayor Will Flanagan invited local farmers who have an interest in participating in this year's Old Second Street Farmers' Market to a meeting on March 21, 2011 with Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator Perry Long to discuss plans for the upcoming market. Mr. Long asked for feedback from the farmers who participated in last year's market which ran on Thursdays from July through October. He also suggested improvements including assigned locations, more advertising and signage to attract customers, and more clearly defined starting and ending times. He is also considering charging a small fee to cover the costs associated with operating and advertising the market, similar to the Kennedy Park and Ruggles Park markets. "We're planning to keep the same mix of produce, craft dealers and live music that we had last year," announced Long in the meeting. "We're even considering an indoor winter market that could run during November and December at the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium on nearby Bank Street," he added. For more information, contact Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator Perry Long at 508-676-0324.

(Top row, left) Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator Perry Long greets Leo Canuel and Carol Flock of Canuel Farms in Somerset in the Mayor's conference room on the sixth floor of Government Center. (Top row, right) UMass-Dartmouth student intern Courtney Torres and Beverly Simcock of Simcock Farm in Swansea listen as Mary Merhi of Quansett Gardens in Dartmouth introduces herself to the group. (Middle and Bottom row, left) Steve Nunes shares some of his concerns and ideas as John Barboza and Robin Wilson of Barboza Farms in Dighton listen. (Bottom row, center) Tammy and Steve Nunes and Scott Barboza look over an aerial map of the Old Second Street market area with Mr. Long.