Farm Market history runs deep

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A recent conversation brought to mind the nature of farm markets in general, and the history of the Fayette County Farm Market in particular.

According to the USDA, “Farmers markets are a critical ingredient to our nation’s food system, and date back to 1730 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the United States.” In a 1999 article in the Smithsonian Magazine, Valerie Jablow and Bill Horne wrote of Thomas Jefferson purchasing fresh vegetables, meat and eggs from a Georgetown market, and the importance of such markets prior to “roads and refrigeration” and the influx of large grocery stores and supermarkets. They note that “the renaissance in farmers’ markets” about 35 years ago was related to “concern over preservation of local farmland and the livelihood of small farmers…”

You don’t need to look far to find out the history of the Fayette County Farm Market (FCFM). Our market manager, David Persinger, maintains a website (https://fayettecountyfarmersmarket.wordpress.com) where the history of and news about the FCFM may be found. If you have never seen the site, or haven’t visited in awhile, take a look and learn more about the market history and about some of the vendors via articles written in 2012 by EAT LOCAL columnist, Mary Lou Shaw. You will also find recipes, photos and market association by-laws, and how to sign up for email alerts of farm market postings. But don’t only look! Send photos, stories, or recipes…see “contact us” for ways to make submissions.

The market is open every Saturday morning from 8:30 to noon and is located in the municipal parking lot on the corner of South Main and East East Street. SNAP EBT food benefit cards, Senior Farm Market coupons and credit/debit cards are accepted—stop by the FM “Info and Children’s Booth” (beside the Sunshine Cleaners) for assistance. Those using the SNAP EBT card receive matching dollar VeggieSNAP tokens, $1 for $1 up to $10 EVERY market day! These VeggieSNAP tokens may then be used to purchase fresh produce.

The following list contains the names and products of the vendors that expect to set up for the Saturday market. Other vendors may participate as well.

Engedi (Beth Day, Alana Walters, Janet Bick): Assorted home baked goods (cinnamon rolls, bread, yeast rolls, cookies, pies, brownies, cobblers, whoopie pies,small specialty bread), Icees, chemical free soap, and a children’s activity.

Garland Farms (Joe Garland): Sweetcorn.

Gerhardts (Kevin Gerhardt): White and bi-color corn, cucumbers.

Greens & Greenery (Katrina Bush): Sustainably grown produce: fresh garlic, tomatillos, kale, green beans, cucumbers, summer squash, Egyptian walking onion sets. Herb plants. PB & honey cookies and walnut/honey pastry (baklava). Growing Local Food, by Mary Lou Shaw and hand knit “fruit and vegee” purses.

Jones Farm Fresh Produce (Jon & Taylor Jones): Sweet corn, tomatoes, green beans, red potatoes, candy onions, green onions, zucchini, yellow squash, beets, bell peppers, cabbage, pork chops, sausage patties, sweet Italian and hot sausage links, ground pork, chicken breast and wings.

Keypoint Farm (Nevin Stauffer & family): Seasonal produce.

King Farms (Jeff and Sandi King): Sweet corn, green beans, spinach, onions, red and Yukon Potatoes, and homemade pies and iced cookies.

Slate Creek Farms (Christen Orebaugh): Seasonal produce and home baked goods.

This and That (Mary Ford): Garden and home crafts (NEW summer goose dresses, coasters, mug rugs, aprons, OSU items, jewelry), baked goods (apple butter bread, PB fudge).

Tom’s Tool Shed (Tom McMurray): Tool sharpening (hand tools, mower blades, axes, garden tools) for a small fee.

Wood by DW (Debbie Welch): Wood primitives and sewn kitchen crafts.

B.Y.E Gardens (Brian & Elaine Yoder): Cinnamon rolls, sweet breads, homegrown popcorn, red and yellow tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, cabbage, candy onions, cold drinks.

By Thy Hand (Mark and Lori Chrisman): Angel food cakes, pies, assorted breads, croutons, snickerdoodles, seasoning & dip mixes, recycled pallet crates & boxes.

Chilcote Farm (Bruce & Marlene Chilcote): Honey, cookies, small cakes and brownies.

Dale’s Crafts (Dale Butler): rustic benches, red, white, & blue benches, swinging chair, Uncle Sam, serving trays, outdoor games (washer toss, corn hole bags and boards, yard yahtzee), Adirondack chair.

D.J.’s Farm (Dennis Anschutz): Baked goods and seasonal produce.

Katrina Bush is a vendor with the Fayette County Farm Market.

By Katrina Bush

For the Record-Herald

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