They may not look like it, but farmers markets are struggling in Minneapolis

Neighborhood farmers markets, with musicians plucking guitars and shoppers casually sniffing homemade soaps, might seem like a low-budget affair.

But low-budget doesn’t mean no-budget and many of Minneapolis’ most beloved neighborhood farmers markets are at risk of closing down — or already have closed — as financial donations, necessary to keep them running, dwindle.

“We should be done [fundraising] by now. We’re not even halfway,” said Sarah Knoss, manager of the Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market, earlier this month.

Usually, by mid-May, the northeast market has raised $25,000. This year, it has yet to tally half that amount.

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