By Jaymie Mordue
The Stuart Farmer’s Market, located at 320 Chestnut in Stuart, will open for the season on May 3.
Glen and Gwendolyn Nergart, Sparks Family Farm, Sally Wobler, Buffalo Creek Farm and Creamery, Henry’s Fresh Roast Coffee, Soap N’ Unique, Joy Lavender, Deep Creek Farms, and KP Hill Farm with early season items will be among the participating vendors.
Each year more people have shown interest in vending, said organizer, Rebecca Adcock. She added that for a small market, the selection is large, including cheese, coffee, tea, meats, eggs, baked items, crafts and veggies.
“Our bylaws are written that we can’t have more than 20 percent of the market to be craft vendors. That is in place because other farmers markets have been crowded out by crafter’s and we want to maintain a place for produce growers,” she said.
Behind the scenes, tasks are underway in preparation for new market season.
In February, a meeting is held to discuss where vendors will set up as well as other events coming up in the community, Adcock said, adding she also is busy “ordering items that are handed out with the market logo – we have done bags, insulated totes, kitchen towels and other items.
“I also get the rack cards and the posters printed,” Adcock said. “We have a tool sharpener that comes the first Friday of every month; Master Gardeners, the library, extension, Rotary, and the Reynolds Homestead all provide information throughout the market season,” she added.
Though Stuart has always had a farmers’ market, it has seen many changes. The current building was dedicated in September 2011 and has been open each year, Adcock said. Since the market moved into the new space, the town has taken pride in the new facility and budgets for marketing, she said.
She said she also includes the Southern Area Agency on Aging (SAAA), which coordinates a farmers’ market programs for seniors. Qualifying seniors can receive $40 vouchers to use with State approved growers. Currently, there are four vendors who are part of the program and accept the vouchers, Adcock said.
Through a recent survey, organizers learned that most people who shop at the market are Patrick County residents, but Stokes and Henry county residents also pass through, Adcock said.
“The market has become a great thing for Stuart. A lot of people shop and stay to eat in Stuart afterwards,” Adcock said. The market “really does help our local economy by bringing in people to shop and eat.”
She said she also loves “how it has become a community gathering place on Fridays and the building has been used for other events. The other great thing that has happened, is since Reynolds Homestead opened the Creative Arts center, they do a kids art project every Friday during market hours over the summer,” Adcock said.
The market will be open from 8 a.m. until noon on Fridays through Nov.22, and Tuesdays from 3 – 6 p.m., June through September.
A Christmas Market is also held in December, and other pop-up markets are scheduled at different times of the year.
For more information, call the Stuart Town Office at (276) 694-3811.
