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Original can be found at: http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/westerville/stories/2009/05/20/0521wvmarket_ln.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=104
Uptown farmers market growing
The Westerville Uptown Farmers Market will be supplemented this year by a second market that will emphasize the arts.
While the annual farmers market takes place on Wednesday afternoons, Gallery 202 owner Renee Kropat said she is trying to organize a market for Saturday mornings, which will incorporate craftsmen as well as farmers.
"We're looking for those who create arts and crafts and other vendors, with the intention of treating it like a market," Kropat said. "We need a minimum of 10 vendors for this to take off."
Kropat said she hopes the Saturday market will be under way by June 6, with the intent to run every Saturday through September. Right now, a few local artists and vendors of pre-packaged food have shown interest in the idea, she said.
Uptown Market coordinator Doug Winbigler said the Wednesday market started May 6, and it continues to grow in its fourth year.
"We've been doing really good, considering the weather. The turnout has been good and the vendors are happy," Winbigler said. "I think we opened with about 18 vendors, up from about a dozen last year. More have been able to come for this year."
Sponsored by the Westerville Uptown Merchants Association, the Uptown Farmers Market also teams up with the Westerville Area Resource Ministry (WUMA), to offer WUMA's Fresh Green Program. It provides clients of WARM with coupons or certificates that can be used as cash at the farmers market. Market vendors who accept these coupons are reimbursed using funds specifically earmarked for the project, according to Winbigler.
The two markets are not connected, but Kropat said she hopes the Saturday market helps to drive additional business to the Wednesday market.
"The basis of the market is the same. We're just two different organizations," she said. "One of the big points we want to make is supporting the Wednesday market. That's very important to us -- we hope to have at least an informational table set up on Saturdays, where shoppers can find out what sort of items are for sale at the Wednesday market."
Appearing at the Wednesday Uptown Farmers Market this year will be Arjay Gourmet Foods, Bildsten Landscape, Bird's Haven Farms, Blue Jacket Dairy, Bridgman Farm, Carousel Water Gardens & Cathy's Tasty Treats, Flying J Farm, Frijolito Farm, Honey Health Farm, Landrum Cottage Designs, Northridge Organic Farm, Osage Lane Creamery, Pleiades Maple Products, Sue's Kitchen, Varley Valley Baked Goods, and new vendors Batter and Bowl (cakes, cookies and baked goods) and Nature's Honey (natural soaps).
Market vendors sell organic and conventional seasonal fruits and vegetables, heirloom produce, baked goods, breads, bedding plants, herbs, flowers, sauces, honey, pet treats, fresh eggs and other items, according to Winbigler.
Kropat said the Saturday Morning Uptown Art and Farmers Market has received permission to operate at the same location as the Wednesday market, in the parking lot of Church of the Messiah, 62 N. State St. She said the market is currently looking for vendors.
"Vendors can rent a spot by the season for $100, and there are different rates to rent by the week or by the month," she said.
The Saturday market will operate from 9 a.m. to noon, she said.
A regularly updated list of the Wednesday Uptown Westerville Farmers Market can be viewed online at www.uptownmerchants.com
More information about the Saturday market can be obtained by contacting Kropat at programs@gallery202.com.
lrice@thisweeknews.com
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