(Posted June 1, 2023)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Summer is just around the corner, and that means farmers market season is about to start. Get ready to check out the goods at these local markets.
Madison County Farmers Market
The Madison County Producers Association has set June 10 as opening day for the Madison County Farmers Market. The market runs from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays in front of Tractor Supply Center, 300 Lafayette St., London.
Several vendors are signed up to sell vegetables, cookies, breads, sausage, craft items, jewelry, and more. The market stands out for the fact that all items sold must be grown or made in Madison County.
Anyone interested in becoming a vendor can leave a message for Cynthia Derosier, organizer, at (740) 262-6223 or inquire at the market. Spaces are $10 per session or $30 for the season. The market runs through October.
West Jefferson Farmers Market
Terry Lambert and Sherry Hook, co-coordinators of the West Jefferson Farmers Market, invite the public to opening day on June 10. The market operates from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in the parking lot at Pat’s Pizza & Pub, 55 E. Main St.
“We have a lot of the same vendors back that we had last year. There will be vegetables, baked goods, handmade crafts. We have one person who sells roasted nuts with different flavors,” Lambert said.
Sweet Madeline’s Vintage Bakery, a West Jefferson restaurant, will be cooking up breakfast sandwiches at the market.
Lambert said the market did really well last year, thanks in part to good weather.
Once again, the market will be accepting senior vouchers. The program, organized through LifeCare Alliance, provides senior citizens with vouchers to purchase goods at the farmers market. Anyone interested in the vouchers can inquire at the market or call LifeCare Alliance at (614) 278-3130.
To reserve a vendor space, call Lambert at (740) 837-0131 or stop by during market hours. The market season runs through the second week of October.
Plain City Farmers Market
Kickoff day for the Plain City Farmers Market is July 4, 9 a.m. to noon, in conjunction with the village’s July Fourth parade festivities. From then on, the market will be open 4:30-7 p.m. Thursdays, July 6-Oct. 5. It is located at 101 S. Chillicothe St., near Bicentennial Park in the middle of uptown Plain City.
Shoppers can expect to find an array of produce, meat, baked goods, fresh eggs, dog treats, crafts, and other homemade items, including soaps, candles, and aromatherapy goods.
Manager Denton Kitts is lining up entertainment and special events, as well. Children’s activities and live music are in the works. On July 20, the market will host a food drive for the Plain City Food Pantry.
Each week, a different food truck will set up at the market. The schedule is as follows:
July 13–Guelaguetza Mexican Street Food;
July 20–Dreia’s Kitchen;
July 27–Schmidt’s Sausage Truck;
Aug. 3–Smokehouse 614;
Aug. 10–The Paddy Wagon;
Aug. 17–Tortilla;
Aug. 24–JD’s Farmhouse;
Aug. 31–The Explorer’s Club;
Sept. 7–Eye of the Tiger Streetfood;
Sept. 14–Tacomania;
Sept. 21–The Forking Perogi;
Sept. 28–Schmidt’s Sausage House; and
Oct. 5–Grilled Cheese Gangsters.
“We also have something new going on this year,” Kitts said. “We are accepting SNAP/EBT cards for qualifying purchases, and we are accepting WIC vouchers.”
Vendor spaces are available for $40 for the season or $10 per week. A vendor application can be found at www.plain-city.com/farmersmarket.
For more information, contact Kitts at (614) 873-3527, ext. 108, or dkitts@plain-city.com.
