EASTSIDE FARMERS' MARKET

The area called the East Rail Corridor was once known as the Great Central Marsh. With industrialization rampant throughout the nation, the marsh was considered useless and soon filled to make more space for factories and other infrastructure. By the 1930s the East Rail Corridor earned its name with some 25 railroad tracks to serve the new factory district. Between 1950-2000, all but two railroad tracks were removed, and most factories relocated or closed down.

In early 2000, the Urban Open Space Foundation (UOSF) purchased about three acres in the East Rail Corridor from the City of Madison. The foundation’s plan focused on the Marquette Neighborhood Association’s discussion of a large central park in this location. The East Rail Corridor had some modest contamination issues stemming from the nature of the soil used to convert the area from the Great Central Marsh into the dry land it is today. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) required a soil and grass cap cover over the area to be used by the public.

In 2001 a local farmer and a community member began talking about the absence of a farmers’ market on the near-east side of Madison. They approached the Willy Street Co-op Board of Directors with the intention of forming a partnership, and the Board quickly decided that sponsoring a farmers’ market fit within their mission and principles. A small group began a long search for an appropriate site for an outdoor market. All site possibilities the group investigated had barriers related to zoning, parking, street use, park use, etc. Eventually the UOSF offered the use of the land that will be the future Central Park. At last, the Eastside Farmers’ Market found its home. UOSF and Willy Street Co-op, in conjunction with many volunteers and donors, began remediation of the former industrial space.

The first Eastside Farmers’ Market opened in June of 2002 with vendors selling fresh produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, flowers, and more.

The Eastside Farmers' Market partnered with the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center to relocate the market to Wil-Mar's parking lot, 953 Jenifer St. The market will open at  its new location May 11, 2010.