The Select Board on March 6 unanimously approved the merger of the Arlington Farmers’ Market and Arlington EATS – two longtime local efforts addressing food issues.

Patsy Kraemer, farmers’ market manager, asked in a statement for the market to be renewed at the Russell Common parking lot -- and announced a proposed merger with Arlington EATS, whose aim is to eliminate food insecurity and which operates from its headquarters on Broadway in East Arlington.

'More solid footing'

"I feel that this merger will give the farmers' market a more solid footing going forward to the future," she wrote in Feb. 9 memo to the board.

Kraemer plans to continue as market manager for the near future; Arlington EATS will provide overall administration and fiscal oversight for the long term.

"There will be a time when I retire from the management of the market, and this merger will ensure the continuance of the market in Arlington," she said.

Over the past two years, the market has collaborated with Arlington EATS on a program called "Fresh Bucks." Any market customer eligible for SNAP (colloquially known as food stamps) has been able to receive $15 worth of "Fresh Bucks" each week to spend anywhere at the market.

Kraemer wrote that Arlington EATS provided more than $100,000 to cover this program. She called the effort "phenomenally successful, increasing access to fresh produce from the market and giving local farmers even more sales."

Andi Doane, EATS' executive director, and Johanna Niles, community food-access manager, will be the administrative coordinators for the market.

The market plans to continue to have liability insurance provided from the Massachusetts Farmers' Market Association.

Other business

In other business March 6, the board unanimously approved:

• Adam LeBlanc to join the Zoning Board of Appeals. An architect, he moved to Arlington recently and seeks to “use his skills to give back to the town.” Select Board Chair Diggins said he is “very enthusiastic” about the appointment. 
• James Stubbe to the Transportation Advisory Committee, or TAC, a promotion, as he has served as a volunteer for the committee. An Arlington resident for more than eight years, he says that he enjoys being a part of the community. “I’ve put thousands of miles on since I’ve been here,” he said of his walks around town. He retired four years ago after working 30 years at Raytheon  and is looking to stepping up his commitment with the TAC.