As reported by The Hutchinson News the Reno County Farmers Market begins on Saturday May 22nd. It will run from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 115 W 2nd Ave. in Hutchinson through Oct. 30. The Wednesday morning market will start in mid-June.
Along with fresh-baked breads and pastries, the market features farm-fresh eggs, wild fruit jams and jellies, meats and lots of vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, green beans and lettuce.
Adam Moore, who has a one-acre farm in Reno County, is excited to bring his sugar snap peas, green onions and spinach to the market.
“There’s a lot of folks that don’t really know where their food comes from,” Moore said. “It’s important to be connected to your food.”
By supporting small farmers, Moore said, shoppers can connect with their community. The market also helps small businesses start.
“It’s the easiest barrier to cross when you are starting a business,” he said.
Sheila Corn, who helped start the market and serves as the president, is looking forward to this year. She expects around 30 vendors and a musician each week.
This year, she got together with the city government and is able to offer SNAP benefits – the food assistance program. Also, if customers do not have cash, they can buy chips with a credit card and use them to purchase food at each booth.
“The farmers market was started in response to the 1980s farm crisis,” Corn said. “We’re still in the same situation.”
All of the goods come from Reno County and neighboring counties.
“It doesn’t travel thousands of miles,” Corn said. “It stays in our communities.”
Like Moore, Dana Gardener, opened a booth to sell her homemade bread at last year and is excited for the season to begin.
She named her company Rising Wild Sourdough. This Saturday she will bring focaccia bread and 50 or so loaves of olive garlic, original, parmesan, cinnamon raisin and oatmeal.
Gardener, whose three older daughters help her, will also bring chocolate chip, everything and plain bagels. One of her daughters, Fiona, 15, will make monster cookies. Gardener said they were a customer favorite last year.
“I’m looking for another good year,” Gardener said. “I’m looking forward to seeing all the familiar faces and hopefully a few more.”
