This is no doubt a very difficult time for many in our small community, in the state, in the nation, and the world. We and others in rural communities have not faced the harrowing experiences of being surrounded by the sick and dying, or having to stay inside in tiny apartments in crowded cities. But everyone’s pain, sadness, isolation and loneliness is relative, and there are certainly those among us who are grieving, or lonely or frustrated, and likely also hungry and sick. Each of us copes with these emotions and experiences in our own ways, but we can surely understand and empathize with the experiences of others, even if they are not the same as what we experience.
People of all stripes visit the Fayette County Farmers Market; but their “stripes” are not what define them in the Market setting. If one were to set up a duck blind and watch from a distance the goings on at the market, I believe what one might see would be GENEROSITY.
Something about the market engenders generosity. And kindness. While we must maintain physical distancing between vendors and customers, there are still wonderful exchanges and acts of generosity. There are greetings and expressions of appreciation and gladness. Of course, every purchase, whether a jar of jam, a pie, a hanging basket, a tomato or herb plant, or a pottery coffee cup expresses an optimism that there will be a future in which to enjoy the purchase, and a “thank you” to the vendor. These exchanges occur during the required physical distancing, which is itself a form of optimism….that with these acts of care of ourselves and others, we can look forward together to a time of safety in the future.
The Market is open Saturday morning from 8:30 to noon and is located in the municipal parking lot on the corner of South Main and East East streets in Washington C.H. SNAP EBT food benefit cards and credit/debit cards are accepted. Those using the SNAP EBT card for food purchases receive matching dollar “Produce Perks” tokens ($1 for $1) good only for fruits, vegetables, and food producing plants. So,”buy one, get one” for up to $20 EVERY market day. Five-dollar coupons will be available again for FAYETTE COUNTY Farm Bureau members at each Saturday market; these can be spent at both the Wednesday and Saturday markets.
NOTE: the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) will NOT be operating “business as usual” for 2020; please check the paper for additional information in the future.
The following list contains the names and products of the vendors that expect to set up this Saturday. Other vendors may participate as well. Vendors who provide their phone number may be contacted for advance orders.
KAZ Creations (Michele Zurakowski—614-563-0541 ): habanero jelly, masks and caramel dip
King Farms (Jeff and Sandi King): Green onions, radishes, iced sugar and chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, zucchini bread, cinnamon rolls.
Kelsie’s K-9 Creations (Jennifer Anderson): featuring healthy, limited ingredient cookies and treats for your 4 legged friends.
Persinger Produce and Cottage Food (Julie Mosny & David Persinger): The Pie Lady –Local honey, apple, peach, rhubarb, strawberry, blackberry, strawberry rhubarb and cherry pies. Also iced sugar cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, cinnamon rolls, banana cake and cinni mini’s. The Jam Man will have new batches of cherry, strawberry/rhubarb, and black raspberry jams. Also an assortment of Texas sheet cakes.
Your Other Mother’s Kitchen (Don & Sara Creamer—740-572-0134): Artisan bread, muffins, brown sugar short cakes, blueberry crisp, and asparagus weather permitting.
Bridge View Garden (Hunter & Lorelle Rohrer, 740-505-5125): Fresh produce (asparagus, green onions, mixed greens). Spring garden plants—flowers and perennials.
B.Y.E Gardens (Brian and Elaine Yoder): Sweet Rolls(Cinnamon, Lemon, Raspberry), Small pies(Raisin, BlackBerry-Rhubarb, Plain Rhubarb, Strawberry-Rhubarb, Cherry, BlackBerry, Triple Berry, Black Raspberry), Cookies(Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodles), Sweet Breads(Strawberry, Zucchini, Banana, Banana-Nut, Pumpkin), Face Masks. Tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce. Call Elaine @740-606-6333 or send email to [email protected] to pre-order or for special items.
Cozy Baby Blessings (Nancy Cutter): Face masks for adults and children, crocheted baby blankets, hats and wash cloths, flannel burp cloths and teething toys, crochet pot scrubbers and dish cloths, coasters and wax melts (over 60 scents available).
Engedi (Alana Walters, Janet Bick, Beth Day): Assorted home baked goods including cinnamon rolls, yeast bread and rolls, cookies, fruit pies and noodles.
Greens & Greenery (Katrina Bush): Shrubs and trees for spring planting (Douglas Fir, Staghorn Sumac, Indian Current). Vegetable and flowering plants: tomato, kale, basil, flowering, herbal and decorative perennials (bee balm/monarda, echinacea – purple and yellow, lemon balm citronella, garlic chives, chives, oregano, horseradish, marguerite kelways, amsonia, hyssop, clary sage, “stormy seas” coral bells,). Glycerin and honey soap, beeswax hand creams and lip balms. Home made sour dough crackers and pecan mini-pies.
Katrina Bush is a vendor with the Fayette County Farmers Market.
