The market begins its transformation into a wonderland of
flowers tomorrow when Owen and Esther Detweiler arrive with a trailer load of
flowering hanging baskets and bedding plants. Last year they raised quite a few
hanging baskets on their farm near Lamar and were blown away by our customers’
support. More than once they brought close to 100 and went home with an empty
trailer. Yes, the Detweilers have very nice baskets. Owen also noticed last year
that we didn’t have many flowering bedding plants – and we didn’t because the
farmer who usually grew them decided to opt out without giving the market
notice. With both Owen and Tim Green stepping up, we should have loads of
beautiful plants starting tomorrow.
Copperleaf Pottery also returns tomorrow after a long absence. Their
pottery is delightful and their soaps lovely.
You’ll notice some of your regular vendors in new places
tomorrow. We’ve begun shifting to regular season positions. If you can’t find
someone you’re looking for, just ask. We’ll point you in the right direction.
Folks sometimes ask why we don’t just give vendors an assigned
spot all year. There are markets that do that. The Ithaca, NY, market actually
lets vendors build their own space with shelves and other accessories in place.
I guess it works for them but it wouldn’t for us and spring is a perfect
example of why. Plants take a lot of room. We are able to give our plant
growers lots of space this time of year because many of our produce farmers won’t
bring in their harvest till the end of May, which is also close to the end of
plant season – except for the herbs, of course. That means in April and most of
May we can double the space available to the plant growers but come summer,
their space is cut in half to make room for others.
In other words, the market is an organic creature that in
effect grows and transforms according to what is in season. It can be a
challenge to arrange the vendors at each market to optimize the space available
and secure as much space, and success, for each vendor as we can. It does take patience
from our customers and understanding from our vendors but we think in the end
it makes the market better for everyone.
My farmers will tell you that few things make me crazier than
to have carefully slotted in every vendor and then to have one – or two – not show
up and end up with an empty space that someone else could have put to good use.
Sometimes it can’t be helped – a flat tire on the way or a sudden bout of flu
(and no, we don’t want anyone coming to the market sick), but if it happens
more than a couple of times, there are some serious discussions. We’re a team
and we need everyone’s eye on the ball. Luckily, I work with an amazing group
of people who understand their responsibilities and how what they do – or don’t
do – affects the market. I got an email just yesterday from a friend who
manages another market. She had a grumpy vendor who made everyone miserable on
their opening day. She had heard how congenial our vendors are. “How did you
get so lucky? Or are there rules?” Oh yes, we have rules, three pages of them,
but we’re also lucky to have a community of vendors who like each other and
want the market as a whole to thrive.
So what’s the fun at the market tomorrow – in addition to the
flowers and produce from SEVEN farms, plus eggs, meat and other good things?
William Adkins takes the market stage tomorrow with golden
oldies. Mabel is serving her last breakfast of the season – biscuit and gravy
for $2.50, plus a farm-fresh cooked to order egg for another 50 cents. Next
Saturday she goes back to lunch – ham and pinto beans with cornbread for $3.50.
That’s because our first Cooking for a Cause is next Saturday, benefitting the
Carl Junction middle school archery team. They are soon headed to nationals in
Kentucky and need to raise some road trip money.
It’s that time of year when the market and the market’s
offerings get more varied at every market. Want the details? Friend the market’s facebook page and you’ll
see a listing of who’s at the market and photos of what’s on offer.
