Pictured: Kelvin Camacho is approaching his fifth month working as Sarasota Farmers Market's executive director. Photo courtesy Kelvin Camacho.

On May 19, Kelvin Camacho was appointed executive director of the Sarasota Farmers Market. Nearly five months later, he reflects on his fulfillment working at the market and the surprise he still feels about receiving this position.

“When I got to the interview, I was expecting it to be a one-on-one interview, but it was with about 12 board members,” Camacho says. “It was nice to be able to experience that with all of them.”

Camacho has event planning experience from previous roles including production manager for both the Sarasota Orchestra and Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. Now as executive director of one of Sarasota’s busiest markets, he oversees vendor management, sets up vendor positions, organizes sponsorships and plans children’s activities.

“We’re trying to have the kids booth every single week of the market instead of two times a month,” he says.

Along with four people who help set up the market every Saturday, Camacho works with board members and the marketing manager, Tracy Freeman, to make sure every market is a smooth operation. Camacho’s current goal for the market is to bring in more farmers.

“I hope to expand the market even further than what we have now,” he says. “We’re going to add more vendors. We’re thinking about taking over Main Street and adding 40-50 vendors in the future.”

As for his favorite part about working at Sarasota Farmers Market, Camacho says the community element is what makes his job rewarding.

“Being there every morning with all the vendors—we all have to be there so early to set up—and talking to all the vendors, it’s great to see everyone so happy at the market,” he says.

Sarasota Farmers Market, 1 N Lemon Ave., Sarasota, 941-225-9256, sarasotafarmersmarket.org

Pictured: Kelvin Camacho is approaching his fifth month working as Sarasota Farmers Market's executive director. Photo courtesy Kelvin Camacho.