History
The City of Green Bay Farmers' Market was initiated in September of 1917 as a way to help area farmers bring their goods to the people of Green Bay. The first market was held on the streets surrounding Whitney Park. The Press-Gazette ran a story on August 31st announcing the event.
Farmers Market August 31, 1917 Green Bay Press-Gazette
Headline:
City Market at Whitney Park to open Saturday; Many Farmers Coming In
Subhead:
Mayor Hall Appeals to Citizens for Support; Co-operation of Buying Public Necessary for Success.
City Sealer is in Charge
John Kelleher to Act as General Manager; No Delivery of Goods Will Be Made; Market to Open at 6:00 AM
Mayor says citizens are in a position to make the public market a success or a failure.
September 1, 1917 Green Bay Press-Gazette
Headline:
Success Attends Formal Opening of City Market;
Business is Quite Brisk
Mayor is Pleased
"I am truly gratified with the success of the opening of the Muncipal Market" said Mayor Elmer S. Hall when offered the resolution which he and Councilman John S. Farrell voted for to establish the market temporarily at Whitney Park. "The large number of buyers present is sufficient proof to me that the people of Green Bay want an opportunity to patronize a public market. It was unfortunate that the demand was so much in excess of the supply, but I believe next Wednesday more growers will be in the city to offer the products. Today's results seem to indicate that the market will develop. A marked increase in trading will occur next week, I believe.
"If in another week, it is demonstrated that the market plan is practical I am in favor of establishing another market in the West side. The city should endeavor to make it convenient for the people to buy in the public such supplies as are found at a public market. We shall endeavor to induce more farmers and gardeners to bring their garden truck to the market in the future".
The paper reported that between 9:00 and 10:00 an estimated crowd of 300 people gathered at the park to buy. Every kind of vegetable maturing at this season was offered by gardeners. Potatoes, cabbage, beets, carrots, onions, radishes, and corn were sold in large quantities. Eggs and apples, also live chickens and ducks were placed on sale in limited quantities. One farmer drove ten miles to the market and disposed of every egg and apple in his motor car within a half hour.
Buyers travel miles
Buyers rode in motor cars from all parts of the city to make purchases in the market. Some live more than a mile from Whitney park. Many women walked several blocks to reach the market. Most buyers carried baskets, but some procured them in the park from a vendor. Wives of manufacturers, retail merchants and laboring men moved along the sidewalks surrounding the park and negotiated purchases of vegetables.
No Refuse Left
Vegetables were carefully handled by the sellers. Practically no refuse was found on the ground when the market closed at noon. There appears to be no grounds for the opinion expressed by some that the park would be spoiled as a recreation grounds and that the market will be a nuisance to the neighbors. The park proper was not used for the sale of products, the wagons and motor cars remaining between the sidewalk and the road in Jackson, Van Buren and Pine streets. All supplies were carried away in baskets by the purchasers after placed in them by the sellers.
1960
The market opened for business in July this year and ran until early to mid November until 1991. In 1992, the market opened early July and ran until the end of October. In 1999 the market began on June 19 and ran until October 30.
The Saturday market in 1955 had 28 spaces and was located at the Water Works at East Mason Street. A Wednesday market was located at 1285 Main Street.
In 1960 a new Wednesday market was added to the west side in the Beacon Center on Military Avenue.
In 1967 the market moved to the corner of Cass & Adams streets. The Wednesday market remained on Main Street.
In 1971 the Saturday market moved to Madison and Main streets.
In 1972 the Saturday market moved to the corner of Cherry & Quincy streets. The Wednesday east side market continued at 1285 Main Street but the west side market moved to the Sears parking lot in the Green Bay Plaza.
In 2000, the Wednesday market moved to the corner of Broadway and Dousman streets. The Wednesday market is now run by On Broadway, Inc.
Farmers' Market Administrators
City Sealer John Kellehr 1917
City Sealer John A Flanigan 1918-1953
City Sealer Norris Tilleman 1954-1975
City Sealer Kenneth J. Liebert 1976-1977
City Sealer James Wallace 1978-1983
City Sealer Daniel E. Kryzanek 1984-2001
Mayor's Office David Nennig 2002-2003
Mayor's Office Grant Staszak/Mary Haupt 2003-2004
Mayor's Office Mary Haupt 2004-present
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| Scenes from 1971 | |
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