Members of Francestown’s 4-H club – a group of girls ages 9 to 12 – will be able to sell freshly squeezed lemonade at the Francestown Community Market this coming season.

The group had applied to sell lemonade at the market, but the Francestown Community Market Committee told them that if they wanted to participate as a vendor they were not permitted to sell lemonade or baked goods, the two items they sold at the market last year when they were accepted to be a guest vendor in July.

However, after a meeting Tuesday between the committee and representatives of the 4-H club, the committee has decided to let the club be an official vendor at the market. The profits from the lemonade business go to funding activities and projects for the 4-H club, a nonprofit organization.

After announcing their decision to allow the club to be a vendor, the market committee wrote in an email, “Ultimately the market was started as a way to bring the community together, having the 4-H group there helps to do that. The young ladies did a wonderful job explaining why their lemonade stand is important to them and important to the community and the market.” 

The committee specified that the 4-H lemonade stand and the other vendor that sells lemonade, Midnight Maples, will be located as far away from each other as possible.

After learning of the decision, 4-H club leader Jackie Henshaw said, “The club members are completely elated.”

The group of girls was present at the meeting and read letters they had written asking the committee to allow them to sell lemonade again this year. 

Midnight Maples sells maple lemonade, and during the meeting, Dawn Kirlin, who founded the market and currently acts as Recreation Commission liaison to the market committee, said they try not to have duplicate vendors since it’s a small market.

“We really try and make the market as diverse as possible,” she said.

The market takes place in the 12 horse stalls in front of Town Hall, and although they have expanded the market to the lawn in past years, Kirlin said that after about 12 vendors, they’ve noticed the profits of individual vendors start to decline. 

Michelle Stone, who helps run the 4-H club, referenced Greenfield’s larger farmers and crafters market.

“I have friends who want to come, but there’s not that much stuff,” said Stone. “It will grow if you want it to.”

Stone explained that the other lemonade sellers didn’t start using a press until after the 4-H club set up its business, and she said it upped the other vendor’s quality and their prices.

“Possibly we’re missing the point,” said BJ Carbee in response to committee members saying they try not to have duplicate vendors. “Competition is vital for economic growth in our country.”

Kirlin said when considering vendor applications, they give preference to longstanding, returning vendors. Tim Henshaw argued that the market is a town event and as residents of Francestown, and the children of taxpayers, the 4-H club should have preference. Midnight Maples is located in Hancock. 

“This is not a rinky-dink lemonade stand,” said Jackie Henshaw, explaining that the girls created a business model and have learned about free markets, competition, food handling and customer service.

“They are learning civic engagement right now,” said Tim Henshaw. “If you deny their lemonade stand now, the next thing they’ll learn is protesting.”

“The thing that doesn’t make sense is saying no to Francestown children,” said Stone, and Carbee added, “The future of the community.”

]]>