Farmers markets have traditionally been the place to go to pick up fresh produce and perhaps some craft items. However, over the past two decades as consumers have become more concerned with gaining better access to locally produced, healthy foods, farmers markets have grown exponentially.
In fact, according to a study of the USDA National Farmers Market Directory since 1994, the number of farmers markets in the United States has more than quadrupled to a reported 7,864 in August 2012.
Locally, the Centreville Farmers’ Market, Lawyers Row and Commerce Street, is enjoying its own “growth spurt” as it prepares to open its market season on Wednesday, April 24th. The market has changed its hours of operation as well as expanded its product diversity, and is fine-tuning market practices to better serve their customers while attracting new ones.
Enhancements include:
• New hours: 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
• Parking: Parking will be waived from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays to make it easier for shoppers.
• Special market parking and concierge services: Personalized services like loading customer purchases into their vehicles are also being planned.
• Visibility for downtown businesses: Special sales and offers available at downtown businesses will also be promoted at the market.
Ribbon-cutting and free market bags
The Centreville Farmers’ Market will officially launch its market season on Wednesday, April 24th, with a ribbon cutting at 3:15 p.m. The first 150 customers on opening week will receive a free market tote bag and can start using a frequent shopper loyalty card. Another new component to the market will be a partnership for the Queen Anne’s County Future Farmers of America students. Students will work on various projects connected to the market.
“On the off-season our Main Street program has been working on ways to enhance the market for the shoppers, vendors and for the downtown businesses,” says George (Smokey) Sigler, president of the Centreville Town Council. “We’ve brought all the stakeholders together, the farmers and shoppers, and recruited committed volunteers. We’ve even worked on legislative issues to allow wine to be sold at farmers markets,” he adds.
Returning vendors
The 2013 market will welcome back last year’s farmers and vendors who will tempt customers with their farm fresh produce and locally produced value-added items. Returning market favorites are:
• White Pines Farm (Centreville, MD) – Each year shoppers await Bob Baer’s delicious tomatoes and, corn, as well as other vegetables.
• Victory Farms (Church Hill, MD) – Elaine Dow will be bringing her jams, produce, potpourri, spices and herbs, baked goods, plants and miscellaneous craft items to market.
• Crowning Glory Farm (Church Hill, MD) –Co-market manager David King and his brother Donald will return with their tomatoes, string beans, squash, turnips, sweet potatoes and red potatoes.
• Co-market manager Arlene Warner (Greensboro, MD) – Arlene will be helping us all break our diets with her delectable baked goods as well as aprons, bibs, placemats, potholders and other handmade items.
• Idleweiss Farm (Centreville, MD) – Linnie Weiss’ strawberries are always a big hit.
New farmers market vendors
At press time our new vendor list included:
• Black Bottom Farm (Massey, MD) selling pastured Angus whole steer ground beef; woodlot raised whole hog sausage, and pastured rosy veal.
• Godfrey’s Farm (Sudlersville, MD) selling a variety of fruits and vegetables, including their famous asparagus.
• Eve’s Cheese (Melitota, MD) selling cheddar and Colby cheese.
• Magnolia Bread Company (Sudlersville, MD) selling artisan breads.
• Homestead Farms (Millington, MD), an organic, community supported, first generation family farm, selling a wide variety of organic vegetables, including root vegetables, greens, and tomatoes.
• Native Daughter Nursery (Centreville, MD) selling plants native to the eastern coastal plains grown with only organic pesticides and fungicides.
• Crystal Anders (Centreville, MD) selling gluten-free baked goods.
Vendors selling locally-produced handmade items will be added this the market this year, and include:
• The Mystical Ladies Collection from Craft Show Boutique (Chester, MD) selling an earthy and chic line of nature-inspired jewelry, bath and beauty products, and island-inspired home décor.
• Christine Gromley (Centreville, MD) – A craft vendor who sold at the Centreville Farmers’ Market back in 2011.
Market leadership and volunteers
The market is under the direction of Arlene Warner who served as market manager last year. Arlene is returning in a leadership role, and is joined by David King. The two serve as co-market managers, dividing up responsibilities to coordinate the market. Centreville Farmer’s Market shoppers know David as he and his brother Donald have been selling at the market for several years for their family farm, Crowning Glory Farm, located in Church Hill, Md.
In the off-season an advisory group has been recruited through the Main Street Program’s Clean, Safe, and Green Committee. This enthusiastic group has been working diligently to create vendor diversity, add capacity to the market, and enhance the shopping experience. Members include: Val Coulby; Bob Elliott; Gayle Jayne; Laura Sanford; and Sandy Simpson.
For more information on the Farmer’s Market, contact Arlene Warner at (410) 841-9269, David King at (443) 262-6420 or davidkking.is@gmail.com or Carol D’Agostino, Main Street Manager at (410) 758-1180, ext. 17, Mainstreet@townofcentreville.org. To stay connected throughout the market season, visit facebook.com/centrevillemarket.
In photo: Planning the footprint of the market … A newly formed Centreville Farmers’ Market Advisory Group has been working on market enhancements on the off-season. From left, are Gayle Jahne, Sandy Simpson, Arlene Warner, Crystal Anders, and Laura Sanford. Not pictured, are Bob Elliott, Val Coulby, and David King.