Farmers Market Update
Author: Don Hettinger
Farmers Market Update
Don Hettinger
Thought I’d better let everyone know about this year’s market before the end of our regular market year which ends Thursday, September 28.
Grow It, Make It, or Bake It. That is the plan of our Townsend Farmers Market. Locally produced products have been the theme of our market from the beginning.
This was possibly the best year the market has ever seen. There were 8 to 12 vendors nearly every week. And, on the best days well over 200 people came to experience the market. Many people came for the smoked brisket that Sam and Sheree made. This along with fresh salsa and chips provided for hungry appetites. There were also pies and pie slices, and cookies, cakes and breads. Yum! Yum! And there were plenty of jellies and jams to satisfy that sweet tooth.
A variety of vegetables were available and changed as the season progressed. It started with veggies like asparagus, lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes and the like and moved to veggies like beans, onions, beets and zucchini squash progressing to cucumbers, sweet corn, tomatoes and potatoes with winter squash and pumpkins finishing out the market season. The senior coupon program for purchasing fresh veggies was a success and is growing. Check with Diane Thorne at the County Health Department now for next year.
There were several craft vendors so you could get a wonderful gift for that special person. In fact, I, like other vendors go around and buy items from each other.
You know you have a community family when customers come and help the vendors set up. Speaking of help we had great volunteers again this year. Several came from Allison’s Master Gardener class. Another addition is Jemma’s 4H and FFA students who grow plants in the school greenhouse and bring them for sale to help earn money for school projects. It’s great to see young people willing to work to earn their way. We even had a young man come, play his guitar and sing.
Weather is always a concern and we had a few times that the market was shortened due to wind and storms. But most times the vendors stuck it out and some tough customers came to buy.
Thank you to Rocky Mountain Supply for allowing us the use of the market area.
Are you interested in being a vendor? Contact Chris Hettinger or Diane Johnson the co-market managers for information.
Well, it’s been a long season from the end of May to the end of September every Thursday afternoon from 3-6 PM. And we still have one to go. This last Thursday
September 28. So, come to the market to stock up.
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Photo Credits: Debbie Flynn
Image 1 Caption: James Douglas at the Hardway Farm booth
Photo Credits: Debbie Flynn
Image 2 Caption: Phil and Jen Hettinger at the Hettinger House booth
Photo Credits: Debbie Flynn
