Talkin' Farmers' Market Blues

A nasty dispute has risen between a Farmers' Market trade association and the manager of the Westwood Farmers' Market, but the status of the weekly event doesn't appear to be in question. The Southland Farmers' Market Assoc. claims that the Westwood market owes them $20,000 in dues and claims that market manager Aaron Shapiro is operating the weekly gathering as a private cash cow. In turn, the Westwood market argues that they're successful with or without the Southland association and that the crowds they attract speak for themselves. Either way, Westwood has been expelled from the association. On farmer summed up the attitude of most market patrons: "I heard about it. We don't care about it as long as the market continues to grow and people continue to come. We're grateful this is here."

Looks like the trade association is going have to come up with some other plan if they want to bring Westwood back into their fold.