Farmers' market ripe with goods

THIS STORY RAN IN THE PRINT EDITION OF THE KANSAN ON JULY 17, 2008.

The Harvey County Farmers’ Market is under way for another season, offering a variety of locally produced goods.

Local gardeners, bakers and crafters set up shop twice a week in the Salvation Army parking lot on Main Street in Newton.

Vendors have a variety of products for sale, including sweet corn, tomatoes, bread and jams.

“Our market vendors are local and are often part-time, retired or hobby gardeners looking to supplement their incomes,” said Scott Eckert, horticulturist for the Harvey County Extension office. “The farmers’ market allows an opportunity for a ‘mix’ of vendors operating side by side in the market.”

For sale are food products such as potatoes, onions, green beans, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, baked goods, eggs, jams and honey.

The produce vendors bring to the market will vary throughout the season.

Right now, tomatoes and sweet corn are in abundance. However, later in the year, vendors like Randy and Raeanne Wiebe of Harvest Hill Vegetable Farm in Peabody will have other goods such as pumpkins, sweet potatoes and winter squash.

Megan Baldwin began coming as a market vendor last year. She enjoys meeting new people and getting reacquainted with those she hasn’t seen in a while.

“It’s also about bringing healthy, locally grown food products to residents,” she said.

She likes that the products are priced competitively because the processing and transportation costs aren’t as high with locally grown products.

Baldwin said the crowd of customers hasn’t been as heavy as it has been in the past.

“Grocery dollars, in general, aren’t there, and we’re seeing the higher costs of other things all the way around — even here at the local farmers’ market,” she said.

Not only are there edible items to purchase, there are craft items like aprons and purses.

“I brought veggies to market,” said vendor Debbie Miller-Dealy. “They’re just on sewing projects.”

The Saturday market will be conducted at the south parking lot of the Salvation Army in Newton from 8 a.m. until noon or sellout.

Tuesday time is 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. or sellout. The Tuesday market will be on the Main Street side of Salvation Army just as last year.

The Harvey County Farmers’ Market has reusable canvas bags. Purchase a bag for $5 and receive a coupon for $5 to use at the market.

For more information about the farmers’ market, call the Harvey County Extension Office at 284-6930.