Melinda 'Mel' Morgan-Stowell manages the Brevard County Farmers Market. / CHRIS KRIDLER/FOR FLORIDA TODAY
Brevard County Farmers Market
Where: 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne
Call: 321-633-1702, extension 238
Hours: Open from 3 to 6 p.m. every Thursday
Website: brevardcountyfarmersmarket.com.
More
Melinda “Mel” Morgan-Stowell, the UF/IFAS Extension Brevard County Community Development Agent in charge of the Brevard County Farmers Market, would love nothing better than seeing Brevard residents eat fresh and local. The market she loves is an important first step toward that goal.
QUESTION:What’s your history, Mel?
Morgan-Stowell: I’m a semi-native of California, after being transplanted to Santa Monica at age 2 from Columbus, Ohio. I’m a graduate of the California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo with a degree in landscape architecture and English literature.
After practicing with a small firm for a number of years, I began a teaching career culminating in a position in conservation education with Walt Disney Worldwide.
My husband and I relocated from Redondo Beach as the result of a TRW (now Northrop) job transfer, and we now live in Port Canaveral.
Q: How did you get the farmers market gig?
Morgan-Stowell: I wanted to work a bit more closely with my community and found an intriguing position listed for the Extension Service beginning with, “work includes running a weekly farmers market.”
Having loved the farmers market in San Luis Obispo, and pining for local produce in my adopted county, the post seemed perfect.
Q:Tell us about the market.
Morgan-Stowell: We pride ourselves in our authenticity. We are dedicated to providing locally grown and produced items to our community. Our vendors must grow or produce at least 50 percent of the goods they sell locally.
Q:What are your duties as market manager?
Morgan-Stowell: It is a constantly evolving position. I am responsible for marketing and operating the market and the educational component regarding the value of local, seasonal foods. I vet vendors, produce a weekly newsletter, maintain our website and work with our Parks and Recreation partners.
One of my favorites is working with our farmers, local chefs from restaurants, bakeries and vendors that source locally such as Café Unique, D.I.G. Bistro, Heavenly Bakery, the Palm, Appleseed Health Foods and The Farm at Rockledge Gardens in producing farm-to-table dinner events.
Q:How did the concept of the market develop and when did it first start?
Morgan-Stowell: The market was created in 2009 to provide a direct-marketing outlet for local growers and producers, and to provide a consistent location for consumers to purchase goods from local farmers and producers.
The market is operated through a joint partnership with Brevard County Parks and Recreation and the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Brevard County.
Q:How does it compare to other markets in Florida?
Morgan-Stowell: As I mentioned, all of the vendors are screened. This process ensures that products sold are grown or produced in Florida and are agricultural in nature. Each vendor must produce or grow at least 50 percent of the products sold at the market. This isn’t necessarily the case with other markets calling themselves farmers markets. Although many markets in the state do maintain local requirements, many do not view this as a priority.
Q:Family?
Morgan-Stowell: I have been married to my brilliant, patient, wonderful husband, Doug, for 12 years and we have the ever-bouncy Boudicca, our golden retriever. I also have a great family in California, my brothers Mike and John, sister-in law Cindy, niece Rachael, nephew Teddy, my best friend and sister-in-law, Marilyn, my amazing runner/yoga enthusiast mom, Mary, and her husband, Rif.
Know of a chef we should profile? Email msonnenberg32904@
yahoo.com with suggestions.