Arlington's city planners are putting out feelers to residents and market aficionados alike, aiming to harvest public opinion on the potential sprouting of a new farmers market in the heart of The American Dream City. The city has extended an invitation to locals, market vendors, and operators to weigh in via an online survey that's now up and running, collecting data on where they'd like to see fresh produce and homemade goods traded. The survey comes in a trio of languages: English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and will close come Wednesday, May 22, according to the City of Arlington, Texas.

With around 60 markets already flourishing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, there's rich soil to grow yet another market, yet the city, cautious to not blindly toss seeds into the wind, commenced a series of online surveys in February and March to feel out community and vendor perspectives on market must-haves, ranging from free parking to a variety of vendor stalls.

Insights gleaned from the responses to questions on optimal operational hours and product diversity – such ideas as proffering pet items alongside artisanal crafts, perhaps, or ensuring customers can munch on fresh-baked goods under the shade of dining tables – will be presented to the Arlington City Council's Community and Neighborhood Development Committee for scrutiny in May and June this year, officials look to untangle data and feedback so a picture of public sentiment becomes clear and can be reviewed by the Arlington City Council's Community and Neighborhood Development Committee.