Acorn Farmers’ Market and Café: A fresh food marketplace to open in Manchester

A prototype logo for the new Acorn Farmers’ Market and Cafe that will be coming to Manchester in 2019.

By Megan DeLeeuw (on behalf of the Acorn Development Team)

When Manchester Market closed earlier this year, our town was left without convenient access to groceries and other staples, meaning that people would have to travel nearly 10 minutes one way to get groceries. Several local groups set to work coming up with solutions to ensure that we maintain a reliable source of food for residents in and around Manchester.

There is not yet a plan in place to bring a grocery store in to replace the Manchester Market. Our group, made up of locals who care about Manchester, is working to create an innovative marketplace as one part of a solution to this grocery store problem. The marketplace, Acorn Farmers’ Market and Café, will serve as a convenient source for fresh, direct-from-producer foods, homemade goods, coffee and beverages, and serve as a community meeting space.

Acorn Farmers’ Market and Café is designed to be like a farmers’ market with an attached café that is convenient, centrally located and open 7-days a week. Acorn’s purpose is to provide a place to shop that connects people who grow and make food to shoppers, promotes farm product development, and provides learning opportunities. Sellers set and adjust their own pricing, take the majority percentage of each dollar and are able to grow their businesses locally.

Shoppers will be able to access fresh foods such as in-season produce, breads, meats, dairy, fish, grains, frozen items, and more. Our Café will offer homemade foods and other locally-made prepared foods and meal kits that can be pre-ordered online for pick-up.

Acorn Farmers’ Market and Café, a registered 501(c)3, will ensure a community centered and not-for-profit model. A small percentage of the revenue from every product sold, revenue generated from the Café, along with grant funds and donations, will support the operations of the market. The market will accept SNAP benefits and double up food bucks as well as facilitate donations directly to our local food pantry. Educational events, classes and a community meeting space will be made available. Acorn will create at least three new full-time jobs and will be located downtown with a beautiful space that encourages customers to meet and mingle. Although no lease has been signed yet, our intent is to open in a vacant storefront on Main Street. We hope to be open daily and allow customers to shop on their way to, from and during work hours, as well as on weekends.

We are blessed to live in a community with rich human and natural resources, and we hope the market will reflect that wealth. Equipped with data on how similar businesses have thrived across the country, a clear purpose, and a drive to make this a reality, our group is working diligently to open Acorn by the end of this year. Acorn won’t be the only solution to our lack of a grocery store in Manchester, but will be a part of the solution. With support, patience, and care from our community, Acorn Farmers’ Market and Café will be an asset to all residents for years to come.

We hope to provide monthly updates about the Market & Café as the season progresses. Any specific questions can be directed to acornfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.