By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
Ashlin Bullock arranges bottles of maple syrup at the Williams Maple Products booth at the Groveport Farmers’ Market. The market opened for the season on June 30 in the parking lot of Groveport Madison Middle School Central, 751 Main St.
The summer heat did not discourage vendors and customers from enjoying the opening day of the Groveport Farmers’ Market on June 30.
Eight vendors selling items including maple syrup, jams and jellies, baked goods, crafts, and more lined up to serve customers in market’s new location this year in the parking lot of Groveport Madison Middle School Central, 751 Main St. in Groveport.
“Business is good,” said Ashlin Bullock, who was working in the Williams Maple Products booth. “We worked at Apple Butter Day last year and did well and had a lot of interest from customers so we decided to participate in the farmers’ market, too. The company owner told me, ‘If you want to do it (the farmers’ market) it’s all yours.”
Katherine Jones of Royal Cottage Fruit Jams and Butters also said business was good at the farmers’ market. She and Damitric Rembert have worked other farmers’ markets in the area and wanted to give Groveport a try.
“We wanted to venture out,” said Jones.
Dwan Kraft of Kraft’s Kreations, a baked goods company, also agreed business at the market was “not too bad.”
“We came here last year, too,” said Kraft of the Groveport Farmers’ Market.
Like much everything else in a world revamped by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Groveport Farmers’ Market is a bit different this year.
Groveport Community Affairs Director Patty Storts said the farmers’ market will only feature vendors this year offering items such as fresh produce, baked goods, and jams and jellies.
“There will be no entertainment, no children’s activities, or theme days due to COVID-19,” said Storts. “Only vendors this year. We need to follow the guidelines issued from Franklin County Public Health due to COVID-19.”
Storts said the farmers market plays a vital role in the community.
“Residents can develop face-to-face relationships with the farmers who grow their food and can contribute directly to local farm sustainability,” said Storts. “Groveport residents also benefit from being engaged with the vendors and their neighbors. Farmers’ markets reconnect communities to their food system. They create opportunities where farmers can simultaneously sell fresh, local food and serve as food educators, revitalizing the way consumers shop and eat.”
