5-Thousand Dollar Donation to Presque Isle Public Market

Presque Isle Community Development Association and the City of Presque Isle have received a $5,000 donation from Farm Credit East and CoBank towards the construction of a permanent structure for the City’s Public Market located in the heart of downtown along Riverside Drive.

Farm Credit East Vice President and Branch Manager Peter Hallowell presented Ken Arndt, Director of Planning and Development for the City with the check on December 23rd.

"This donation is a wonderful way to mark Farm Credit’s 100th anniversary promoting the growth and prosperity of agriculture in the United States,” said Hallowell. “Farm Credit East is part of the national Farm Credit System founded in 1916. We are proud sponsors of dozens of agricultural, community and civic activities and are pleased to add support of the City’s Public Market to our list. “

The Public Market began in May of 2014 with the goal of encouraging healthy eating, making fresh produce more readily available and affordable to the consumer, supporting local small farms, bringing more people downtown and enhancing the waterfront a destination.

The Public Market Pavilion is seen as a multi-purpose structure that, in addition to housing the Public Market two days a week during warm weather, can also be used for music, arts, and festival events.

Hallowell says public markets have been shown to support the local economy, create jobs, and keep dollars local. The Union of Concerned Scientists reports buying local produce means it travels more quickly from the farm to the plate and is, therefore, fresher and of better quality. Studies also show that consumers visiting farmers’ markets located downtown will visit at least one other business while there.

Ken Arndt, the City’s Director of Planning and Development stated, “The Public Market is still young having only completed two seasons. However, the market offers quality produce and works from outstanding local artisans.”

Farm Credit East serves a seven-state territory of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York and Jew Jersey. Farm Credit offers loans and specialized services to seerve the agricultural, commercial fishing and forest product industries. For more information on Farm Credit East, contact Peter Hallowell at 764-6431 or visit the the company's website.

For more information on the Public Market, contact Ken Arndt at 760-2727 or visit the City of Presque Isle market. There is also a Facebook page.

----------------

This information was submitted to us as part of a press release. If you would like to share your community news or event with our audience, please email newspi@townsquaremedia.com.