Centreville Farmers Market opens April 23 with new vendors and “Healthy Living Series”

marketplants marketstandCentreville Farmers Market opens April 23 with new vendors and “Healthy Living Series”

Events, Maryland Blue Crabs, artisan and gluten-free breads highlight new market features

Farmers markets often come to mind when shoppers think about purchasing locally grown produce. However, farmers markets are equally important for the farmer or vendor looking to directly sell to consumers as well as to the community where the market is located.

Locally the Centreville Farmers’ Market, Lawyers Row and Commerce Streets, will open its season on Wednesday, April 23, at 3 p.m. The market will be open through October 25.  Hours are 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Ribbon cutting and shoppers’ giveaway

The market will officially open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, April 23 at 3:15 p.m. at the Court House Square, on Commerce Street. The first 150 shoppers will receive a 13”’x 10” BPA free flexible cutting board, which is sponsored by 13 local businesses. Giveaway sponsors are: BB & T; CNB; Callahan’s Gas & Appliance; Commerce Street Creamery; Commitment Fitness; Edwards Pharmacy; Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home; Freestate & Son; Queenstown Bank; Queen Anne’s County Library; Rosendale Realty; Serendipidee; and Whitehill Consulting, LLC.

Like last year shoppers to the 2014 Centreville Farmers’ Market will enjoy waived (free) parking between 3 and 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and three reserved shoppers’ parking spots on Commerce Street, as well as courtesy shopping carts. In addition, the shoppers’ loyalty card will be returning this year. Shoppers can pick up their card at Town Hall or from any of the vendors at the market. Shoppers will get their cards punched at every market day they shop. After completing the 10-punch card, shoppers turn their cards in for drawings for market vouchers. Two drawings will take place; one in July and one in October.

This year’s market will be managed by returning market co-managers:

  • Arlene Warner (Greensboro, MD) of Arlene’s Creations with a wide selection of baked goods and sewn items as aprons, bibs, placemats, potholders and other handmade items; and
  • David King (Church Hill, MD) of Crowning Glory Farm, returning with a wide selection of produce such as tomatoes, string beans, squash, turnips, sweet potatoes and red potatoes, and plants and cut flowers.

Joining Warner and King in the governance of the farmers’ market is an advisory group. Members are: Val Coulby; Bob Elliott; Christine Jones; Kimberly Kempel; and Sandy Simpson.

New event programs: Healthy Living Series 

The 2014 market season will include a series of activities and programming organized by a new volunteer group called the “Healthy Living Series” sub-group. Most events will take place the last Saturday of each month with selected events on Wednesdays. Topics include: blood pressure screenings; canning; healthy eating; food storage and safety; “Meet Your Farmers Market Vendors;” composting; and Kids Day at the market. A complete schedule will be available at the market and at Town Hall.

Healthy Living Series sub-group members include: Uma Borkar, faculty extension assistant, Nutrition, University of Maryland Extension, Queen Anne’s & Kent counties; Stephanie Kelly of Commitment Fitness & Personal Training, LLC; Tina Squibb, resident and certified Holistic Health Coach; and Mary Ann Thompson, RN, BSN; director of Clinical Programs, Queen Anne’s County Department of Health. To suggest a health and wellness topic or to join the group, contact Carol D’Agostino, Main Street manager, at (410) 758-1180, ext. 17 or mainstreet@townofcentreville.org.

New at the market: Breads, blue crabs, gluten-free baked goods, and freshly-ground flour

Maryland blue crabs as well as gluten-free baked goods are among the new items for sale at this year’s seasonal market, which continues the growth momentum from 2013. “Last year we nearly doubled the amount of vendors from the previous year,” says Carol D’Agostino, Main Street manager. “We need to continue growing the market by adding more products to add to the diversity of items available for our shoppers,” she adds.

Shopper and advisory group member Christine Jones concurs. “The Centreville Farmers Market sells quality produce and other market products. Since I work at the Board of Elections it is very convenient for me to take a break and buy what I need. Adding to the variety can only be good for everyone,” she adds. Vendor Niambi Davis of Sand and Silk Soaps of Centreville appreciates shoppers like Jones. “There are a lot of shoppers I see week in and week out. There’s a sense of community here. We all (vendors) appreciate the support for our individual businesses,” she ads.

As of press time this season’s new vendors include:

  • Commerce Street Creamery (Centreville, MD), Italian ice.
  • Crystal Anders (Centreville, MD), gluten-free baked goods.
  • Belinda Lee Seafood (Centreville, MD), Maryland blue crabs.
  • Beverly Diane Designs, (Centreville, MD), handmade teddy bears, fabric and leather goods, as well as custom items.

Artisan Beverly Seman sold at the winter market, but this will be her first year at the seasonal market.

  • Darland Manor Farm (Centreville, MD), freshly-ground flour, cut flowers, and freshly-cut herbs.
  • Flouring Faith (Denton, MD), pretzel rolls, egg-braids, and a variety of other breads, biscuits and rolls.
  • Jerry Geesaman (Centreville, MD), handmade birdhouses. Jerry is another winter market vendor who will be selling at the seasonal market for the first time.
  • Grandmother’s Soap (Chestertown, MD), lotions, balms, and bath products.

Returning vendors include:

  • Cedar Run Farm (Sudlersville, MD), Meats, fresh eggs and free range chickens.
  • Corsica Gems (Centreville, MD), jewelry featuring natural gems.
  • Eve’s Cheese (Melitota, MD), farm fresh cheese.
  • Fairview Farm (Centreville, MD), muffins, breads, and other homemade food items.
  • Godfrey’s Farm (Sudlersville, MD), fruits and vegetables, including their popular asparagus.
  • Idleweiss Farm (Centreville, MD), organic strawberries.
  • Knopp’s Farm on the Shore (Federalsburg, MD), vegetables and fruits.
  • Kristy’s Backyard Bloom’s (Centreville, MD), flats, flowering baskets and arrangements.
  • Pamela’s Heavenly Treats (Centreville, MD), cupcakes, cookies, brownies and cake pops.
  • D’Anna Chevron Pinkett (Centreville, MD), cookies.
  • Rainbow of Handicrafts (Centreville, MD), fabric and plastic crafts, including sports team items, tissue box covers, magnets, and baby blankets.
  • Mary Ralston (Stevensville, MD), jewelry.
  • St. Michaels Winery (St. Michaels, MD), wine.
  • Sand and Silk Soaps (Centreville, MD), note cards, soaps, and lotions.
  • Tomahawk Farms (Centreville, MD), plants and flowers.
  • Victory Farms (Church Hill, MD), jams, produce, potpourri, spices and herbs, baked goods, and plants.
  • White Pines Farm (Centreville, MD), wide selection of vegetables including Bob Baer’s popular sweet corn, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and other vegetables.           

Vendor information

Centreville Farmers’ Market is still accepting farmer and vendor applications. Seafood vendors (fresh Maryland caught fish), artisan crafts, locally made value-added food items (honey, sauces, etc), and locally roasted coffee vendors are needed. Applications are available online at http://www.townofcentreville.org/departments/main-street.asp or at Town Hall.

For more information, contact market co-managers Arlene Warner at (410) 841-9269 or David King at (443) 262-6420 or davidkking.is@gmail.com or Main Street manager Carol D’Agostino (410) 758-1180, ext. 17, mainstreet@townofcentreville.org. To stay connected throughout the market season, “like” facebook.com/centrevillemarket and facebook.com/centrevillemainstreet.

PHOTO: Mushrooms were one of the new additions to last year’s seasonal Centreville Farmers’ Market. Vendors joining the 2014 market will be selling new products such as, including Maryland Blue Crabs, gluten-free baked goods, and artisan breads like egg-braids and pretzel rolls. The market will open April 23. For more information, call (410) 758-1180, ext. 17, email mainstreet@townofcentreville.org or “like” facebook.com/centrevillemarket.

PHOTO: Centreville Farmers’ Market sells flats, flowers and plants, in addition to fruits, vegetables, artisan crafts, baked goods, and a variety of value-added items like jams. The 2014 market opens Wednesday, April 23 at Lawyers Row and Commerce Street in downtown Centreville. Hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through October 25. For more information, call (410) 758-1180, ext. 17, or email mainstreet@townofcentreville.org.