–The Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market has released their vision plan to the public. The 16-page document provides a brief explanation of the history of the event as well as a recap of the accomplishments over the last six months and the upcoming additions to the market. Additions like ease of market congestion, free public Wi-Fi, and beer and wine tasting are all described in the vision plan as a way to improve the market for local residents and guests.

This past year the market introduced a new brand to update the 32-year-old market’s style, and introduced a new six-month concert series. “The Fresh Picked Concert Series has brought new life to the Osos Street side of the market,” says Market Manager Jill Bilich, “what was once a quiet end of the market is now full of new energy!” The concert series was produced by the Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market as a way to increase foot traffic to the eastern terminus of the market to bring more shoppers down to the vendors and farmers and to give the public more entertainment. With bands like Damon Castillo and Moonshiner Collective, the Harvest Stage drew the largest crowds of locals for a live performance in the market’s longstanding history.

Across the board the vision plan emphasizes the importance of sourcing goods from the local community and making the needs of residents a priority. A public survey conducted in Aug. of 2014 showed a clear direction the market should follow to remain competitive, both locally and statewide. With 19 Certified Farmers’ Markets in San Luis Obispo County alone, shoppers have a lot of options to get fresh produce and interact with the people who grow it, but only at the Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market, “can you experience the magic of a Thursday night under the twinkling canopy of Higuera Street.”

View the vision plan here and see what is coming down the line. The market will also be adding be beer and wine tasting.