NEWBERRY — Laura Yoder, manager of the Newberry Farmers Market, said this year’s season has been a great year to work with local artisans and farmers.
“It has been an awesome experience working with the local artisans and farmers,” Yoder said. “We have made many friends and hope to make more.”
The Grow Newberry Farmers Market officially opened May 30 and has averaged around 13 vendors a week with anything from blueberries and peaches to eggplant and tomatoes. Yoder said she has also seen handmade items including soap, lye and homemade prepackaged mixes for dips, soups and bread.
“Farmers markets play a key role in developing local and regional food systems that support farmers and help grow rural economies,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “They bring communities together, connecting cities with the farms and providing Americans with fresh, healthy food.”
Vilsack declared Aug. 2 through Aug. 8 as National Farmers Market Week, marking the 16th annual National Farmers Market Week in honor of the role that farmers markets play in local economies. Vilsack identified strengthening local food systems as one of the four pillars of agriculture and rural economic development.
“Visitors love the market and love the support our community shows for our local artisans and farmers,” Yoder said.
The Grow Newberry Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays through Aug. 15 in Memorial Park and in the parking lot of Tractor Supply on Main Street from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 4 and Aug. 11.
While the season has typically been from June until July, this season has been the longest on record.
Mary Alex Kopp, who is also on the market’s board, said they plan to take a break after Aug. 15 and come back the first Saturday in October. The Newberry Farmers Market will then run from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays in Memorial Park through Halloween.
Yoder said Saturdays have been busier with more vendors than at the Tuesday market but the vendors on Tuesdays have a great selection as well.
Vendors that grow within the Newberry County lines display posters that say “Grow Newberry 100%” to let the community know they are getting items locally grown. Information about vendors can be found at www.grownewberry.com/meet-our-vendors.html.
Kopp said vendor applications are available for downloading at grownewberry.com. Pricing is also listed.
Supporting farmers markets is a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative that coordinates the department’s policy, resources and outreach efforts related to local and regional food systems.
The Clemson Master Gardeners Chapter in Newberry had managed the Farmers Market but decided at the end of the 2013 season it was unable to continue running it.
The Grow Newberry Farmer’s Market board of directors was formed in January from the Eat Smart Move More group. The group attained its official 501(c)3 non-profit status last year.