By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR – The city bid a fond farewell to the 2023 season at the Ventnor City Farmers Market, which over the last seven years has become a mecca for residents, visitors, foodies, fun seekers and even Old Coots.
It was bittersweet to see the market close up shop and a reception held afterward to honor organizers and market managers Andy and Penni Starer who approached the city seven years ago to start up a farmers market. When they did, they had all their ducks in a row – the perfect location near the central business district, commitment from volunteers to help run it, and the support of the governing body to add a new amenity for everyone to enjoy during the summer season.
“It was a marvelous year,” said vendor Jeanette Finocchiaro of Aversa Bakery, who has been a vendor all but one year. “The people who come here are absolutely wonderful. They always wish me well, even when I run out of product.”
Finocchiaro said Andy and Penni were fabulous market managers, always willing to lend a hand.
“They are nice people. I wish them well,” she said.
The Starers, who spent their winters in Florida, are moving there permanently.
Claire Frankel of Kitschy Kitchens said she did “quite well” this summer selling handmade fabric bowl cozies.
“The best part of this market is the community and the people. I just love the interactions even when they don’t buy anything. Everyone has a story to tell,” she said. “This is one of the best markets around with all the community feel. At least, that’s what the customers tell me.”
She will be back next year when remaining Market Manager Maria Gatta of The Red Room Café is joined by volunteer John Dowd who will be the Starers replacement.
“We will miss them terribly,” Lynndell Anzisi of Good Boy Biscuits & Bones said. “They are great people. We told them we want to go stay with them in Florida.”
She also said the people are what make the market spectacular.
“This summer was amazing. The Starers are very well organized, and the market is run to perfection. We are thankful to the volunteers who help make everything go so smoothly,” she said.
Following breakdown of the tents, many vendors pulled their wares out of the parking lot in trailers. The ones who stayed for the end-of-season party were on hand to thank the Starers for all they did for the city.
“Everybody realizes the job they did over the last seven years,” Dowd told the crowd gathered in St. James Hall for a buffet luncheon.
Dowd presented the Starers with a book of memories and a painting by his wife Brenda Dowd of Makt Arts gallery on Ventnor Avenue. The painting depicted the market as colorfully as only Dowd could.
Commissioner Maria Mento offered gratitude from the city for their many years of dedication and credited the couple and the market with being a catalyst for the city’s renaissance.
“Your work started the ball rolling in Ventnor. You made Ventnor hip again,” she said.
Penni Starer said the reception was a great sendoff for the retiring couple.
“You gave us meaningful closure with our farmers market family,” she said.
She thanked all the vendors, volunteers and the Old Coots who give advice to total strangers, for their “passion” planting, harvesting, making, rising early in the morning and then transporting, putting up tents and selling their products.
“Thank you for sharing and supporting each other. It fuels creativity and brings joy to others. But most importantly, it sends positive energy out into the universe, and it makes it all worth it,” Penni Starer said. “We are going to miss you more than you know and will carry seven years of memories with us always.”
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