Submitted By
Dr. Theresa Chapple, Public Health Director
Reviewed By
A.M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
Concur with the Farmers’ Market Commission and Adopt an Ordinance Amending Chapter 18 (“Peddlers and Solicitors”), Article 2 (“Farmers’ Market”), Section 18-2-2 (“Definitions”) and Section 18-2-8 (“General Regulations; Certificate of Production”) of the Oak Park Village Code to Allow the Sale of Fish at the Farmers’ Market
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Overview
Overview
This is a recommendation to amend specific sections of Chapter 18 (Peddlers and Solicitors”), Article 2 (“Farmer’s Market”) pertaining to producer/vendor’s definitions and to allow established Oak Park Farmer’s Market vendors to sell local fish, which they acquire directly from the fisherman/fisher. Two specific changes are recommended: 1.) Give the right for vendors to sell fish on behalf of the fisherman/fisher and 2.) Request to add the new definition of fisherman/fisher.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Ordinance.
Background
Village staff has been unsuccessful in finding fishermen/fishers who would sell direct at the Oak Park Farmer’s Market. Often, these fishers are located up to eight hours away from the Chicago area and driving to the Oak Park Farmer’s Market one day per week is not feasible for their business. However, the demand for fresh water fish is high from the market customers, who have communicated their desire for fish to be sold at the market, both verbally and in writing. This Ordinance would allow current Oak Park Farmer’s Market vendors to sell local Midwest-caught fish that they acquire directly from the fisherman/fisher
Illinois law dictates all fish and meat must be sold frozen at all farmers markets. Current Oak Park meat vendors sell fish at other popular markets around Chicago and are already prepared with the necessary equipment, such as freezers, to sell frozen fish at the Oak Park market. Several Oak Park market meat vendors have asked the Village for permission to sell fish at the market for several years.
The proposed amendment will enhance market offerings and increase attendance, as well as reach a more diversified customer base, while staying true to the producer-only mission and principle of the Oak Park Farmers’ Market.
At the monthly Farmer’s Market Commission meeting on June 14, 2023, the Commissioners discussed the proposed Ordinance and voted unanimously to recommend the two changes regarding fish being sold at Oak Park Farmer’s Market by non-fishing vendors.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact to the Village’s Farmers’ Market Fund.
DEI Impact
Low-income shoppers do not usually have access to high quality and safe lake and river fish from the Great Lakes region because the high price is often cost-prohibitive. The Village’s SNAP/LINK incentive program allows low-income customers to purchase the high quality fish for half the price, because of the Village’s matching coupon program. The Oak Park Farmer’s Market would be one of the few Chicagoland Markets offering this protein as an option. The number of marginalized/low income shoppers who are first-time customers at Oak Park Farmers’ Market is growing, according to LINK/SNAP data, which also includes zip code data and tracks which vendors have accepted LINK coupons and cards for their products.
Furthermore, the first two fishing businesses Village staff would work with if this Ordinance is approved are minority-owned businesses. One business is run by Native Americans who pole fish in the northern Wisconsin rivers and lakes. The other fisherman-owned business is woman-owned. This transparency of food sources and traceability is nearly impossible in local grocery stores. Sustainable fishing practices are vetted by the Village’s Farmer’s Market staff, just as meat farmers are vetted. The Village maintains high standards throughout the process.
Alternatives
The Village Board could seek additional information from staff.
Previous Board Action
In 2019, the Village Board adopted an Ordinance to allow for the sale of frozen fish captured outside of the five-state region, allowing for the sale of salmon.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
At the monthly Farmer’s Market Commission Meeting on June 14, 2023, Commissioners discussed the proposed Ordinance and language and voted unanimously to recommend the two changes regarding fish being sold at Oak Park Farmer’s Market by non-fishing Vendors.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A