Scores of people searching for tasty homegrown tomatoes or the sweet crunch of locally grown corn showed up at the Clarkston Farmers? Market on opening day.
About 1,110 customers strolled through the market, located in the parking lot across from Depot Park in downtown Clarkston.
‘This is our best opening yet,? said Chris Hardman, Clarkston Farmers? Market co-manager. ?(We) worked really hard to attract different vendors, and we’ve got all our old vendors back, as well. This is exactly what we hoped for.?
It was fun, she said, to watch grandparents out for a Saturday morning with the kids, or see neighbors catching up.
A Cook’s ice cream booth, new this year, attracted quite a few patrons. Other additions for the 2007 season include new artists, an increase in the number of produce vendors, and a Forgotten Harvest collection basket.
And, organizers were particularly happy about adding a place for shoppers to relax.
‘We’re very excited about the benches,? said Hardman. ‘They make the market seem so inviting; people can sit down and enjoy their coffee, or just rest for a while. Eventually we want to have seating all along the river.?
The first two benches, she said, arrived for opening day thanks to a discount from Independence Township’s Ace Hardware.
A number of little red wagons are also available every week to help patrons move their wares through the market.
The Clarkston Farmers? Market is a non-profit volunteer organization featuring local produce’grown within a 100 mile radius’from small family farms and food producers.
All food and non-food sellers must maintain direct involvement with production of their product in order to become a vendor; wholesale buying and selling is not permitted.
Now in its third year, the market sells seasonal fruits and vegetables, many in heirloom or organically grown varieties, as well as items like baked goods, dried herbs and granola.
‘People come for the produce,? said Anissa Howard, Clarkston Farmers? Market co-manager. ‘But they also come for the cut flowers and specialty products.?
Interesting items include llama and alpaca fiber, twig furniture, watercolor paintings, soaps and oils, and honey. ????
?’I do really well here,? said Bill Stotz, proprietor of Three Bee Apiary. ‘People keep coming back for more.?
Stotz sells several varieties of the sweet, sticky substance’regular liquid honey, as well as comb, cream, and raw honey.
Although Stotz still had a few jars of honey left after the crowds came through, other vendors sold out before closing time.
‘A heck of a turnout today,? said Fred Smith, a farmer from Hadley. ‘I sold out about an hour ago, but I’ll have more next week; all I can haul without it falling out the windows.?
Smith was planning to bring sweet corn, tomatoes, sweet peppers and zucchini.
Produce selection will change, of course, as the season wears on.
‘I’ve got lots of stuff that isn’t ready yet,? he said.
Most shoppers seemed delighted with the atmosphere of the open-air market, as well as the selection.
‘It looks like more vendors than normal,? said Julie Lewy, noting that she enjoys fresh-cut flowers, produce and some of the specialty sauces found at the market. ‘It’s getting bigger every year.?
‘I love it,? said Gail Hoffman.? I really like the apples, when it gets closer to that time, but I like the vegetables available now, too.?
The market runs from 8 a.m. until noon every Saturday through September 8 in downtown Clarkston across from Depot Park. For more information, visit www.clarkstonfarmersmarket.org.
Anyone wishing to help fund additional benches for the farmers market can send a check or money order in any amount to: Clarkston Farmers? Market, PO. Box 51, Clarkston, MI, 48347, or stop by the volunteer booth on market day.