In her role as manager of the Warren County Farmers Market, Tamara Small has many tasks and logistics on her to-do list this time of year: with Opening Day less than two weeks away, Small no doubt is arranging details with vendors, scheduling special activities, cooking demonstrations and more.
But Small draws comparisons with her present role to her previous work in the health care industry.
She said the farmers market provides people a way to make healthy choices and provide nutritious food for them to eat.
“It’s like preventative care what I do now, that’s how I like to think about it,” she said on Wednesday’s TownTalk.
The market kicks off on Saturday, Apr. 25, and Small said she welcomes patrons back to the parking lot of the Warren County Health Department, 544 W. Ridgeway St., Warrenton.
For now.
If all goes as planned, the market will close for the season in mid-November at its brand-new location. The new market is scheduled to be completed in August, she said, and when it’s finished, the market will move just up the road to its new spot at 429 W. Ridgeway St. The theme for Opening Day is pollinators, and a group of Master Gardeners will have a butterfly release at 10 a.m., Small said. Customers can put their names in a bucket for a chance to win a pollinator basket, filled with goodies for pollinators and people, alike.
Right now, expect to find cool-weather produce like lettuce, radishes and the like. As spring moves into summer, expect different produce, as well as eggs, honey and meats. There also will be fresh baked goods, and unique arts and crafts for purchase. The market will be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, and vendors accept a variety of payment methods.
Of course, they prefer cash, Small said, but some vendors take cards and other cash apps. WIC and SNAP EBT is accepted, too, and Small said a double up food bucks program will be in effect for those SNAP EBT customers. “If you spend $20, we’ll give you an additional $20,” she explained.
There are programs for seniors and for children, too.
“I think that is a wonderful asset, a great benefit for people,” Small said of the various benefit programs that are accepted at the market. “It makes fresh, nutritious food available for everyone, no matter how they’re paying for their food.”
As she begins her fourth year as market manager, Small said she is happy to see people come out to the market, being outdoors and enjoying a community gathering space.
“It’s a place that you look forward to going on a Saturday morning,” she said. The market is a family-oriented destination, and a fun place to spend some time on the weekend.
Last year, Small said about 6,000 people visited the market during the season, averaging about 200 people each week.
“Those are great numbers,” she said. She wants this year to be even better.
We want more people to be aware about the Warren County Farmers Market. We have so much to offer, it’s a great place to be.”
Customers enjoy making connections with their food, she said. The vendors who sell on Saturdays at the market are the ones who actually grew the food. It’s interesting to find out how far (or how near) the vendors traveled to get their goods to market.
Vendors put their heart into what they’re doing, Small said. “They’re very particular about what they grow and how they grow it.” Keeping sales local has a positive impact on the local economy – another plus.
The market may be a little bit different each week, depending on what special activities are planned. Small said there will be cooking demonstrations each month, and there will be honey tastings and face painting on Opening Day, she said.
“I just really like to bring the community together and embrace that togetherness in a healthy way,” Small said. “We’re outside, we’re eating good, we’re laughing, we’re talking…we’re just having a good time. It’s the best place to be on a Saturday morning.”
Follow the market on social media and find links to vendor applications, weekly newsletters and more. For more information, contact Small at 252.2131.7216 or the Warren County Cooperative Extension at 252.257.3640.
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