The Market Square Farmers’ Market is winding down for the season. Mums have been offered for several weeks now and mostly fall crops are displayed in the farmers’ booths: greens, peppers, winter squashes, gourds and pumpkins. It’s been a wonderful season. Here are some highlights from the past spring, summer and fall:
- One of the most exciting things was Market Square Farmers’ Market coming in fifth in a national contest to name the best farmers’ market in the country. Administered by care2.com, an organization dedicated to healthy and green living, the contest awarded $5,000 to the market with the most on-line votes (Flint, Michigan’s market), $4,000 to the market that came in second (Fernandina Beach, Florida), $3,000 to the third place winner (Carrboro, North Carolina), $2,000 to the fourth place winner (Midtown Farmers’ Market in Minneapolis), and $1,000 to our own Market Square Farmers’ Market. Many, many folks deserve credit for rallying the troops to get the votes in, but I think John Craig and Art Carmichael may have worked the hardest. Congrats, guys!
- Jack Neely’s great new book about Market Square came out, highlighting the history of everybody’s favorite gathering place, which is home for our beloved market.
- Charlotte Tolley, who is in charge of the market, said this year saw more vendors than last: 62 this year compared to 44 last year.
- But, due to the rainy weather, even with the extra vendors, there wasn’t as much produce.
- And the rain kept customers away on many weekends, too, she said, so total attendance might not have surpassed last year’s.
- The lack of extended hot dry weather hurt the tomato crops this year.
- And bugs caused a lot of stem rot, she said.
Still, the extra vendors caused the market to physically expand. The city closed a block of Market Street this year to add more space. And the market attracted more non-food and prepared food vendors.
The Market Square Farmers’ Market will stay open until November 21. After that it will be replaced by a Holiday Market for several weeks until it shuts down until the first baby greens and asparagus of spring 2010 arrive.
It’s been a wonderful addition to downtown life. We’ve shopped it almost every Saturday and even planned whole days around it when friends from the western suburbs would meet us for a magical day in the city.
Great job, everybody. Thanks so much.
Here are some links to some information about the vendors whose wares are pictured in today’s blog post: Musick Mountain Farm, Mountain Meadows Farm, A Place of the Heart Farm, Moore’s Acres, Rushy Springs Farm, Gregory’s Greenhouse Productions, Bill Lee Art.
This was the first year for my wife, Lindsay Beeson aka The Plum Baker, to be on the market with Meg Parrish from Old City Java. Together they sold coffee and baked goods with increasing success.
It certainly is an exciting time for both market entrepreneurs and existing businesses!
Going to the Farmers Market is always one of the highlights of the weekend.
The Market Square Farmer’s Market is an EVENT to attend. It is wonderful with all the fresh foods, and beautiful to behold. Fun and festive … always!
I’m considering marketing some of my cast iron cookware collection and wonder if would be a worthwhile venture at the Market Square Farmers Market. I may hit the road (Spring-Fall 2012) to offer my old cookware pieces at various flea markets, craft fairs, farmers markets, etc. Would anyone care to recommend ideas or give me encouragment in regard to selling in your area? Pleaseemail me at: [email protected] with comments.
I just found your site today, didn’t know that I was already here!
Bill: I love your pottery. I have a butter dish of yours that we use all the time. It is blue and green. Keep waiting for you to make another butter dish in the colors of orange and yellow — our favorite Fiesta Ware colors. But whatever you do is awesome. Please keep it up.
About the Author
What You’re Saying
What’s Hot
My Favorite Blogs
Archives