Farmers Markets

Farmer’s Markets offer the best in homegrown, homemade goodies

Farm fresh is best, whether it comes to produce, eggs, or home canned jams, jellies and local honey.

Many farmer’s market shoppers have commented on the abundance of food stuffs offered at local markets, and marveled at the better taste of homegrown over store bought food.

Although farmer’s markets are a seasonal operation, many kick off in late April or early May, and continue through October, offering lighter fruits and vegetables in the spring and summer, and heartier winter vegetables like squash and parsnips during the cooler autumn and winter months. Many local farmers use heirloom seeds in their gardens, which are more nutritious than the genetically modified seeds and plants used in larger, commercial farming operations

While many chain stores offer produce to their customers, it is often harvested from commercial operations that could be located half a continent away, and already be several days old by the time it hits the grocery bin. Shopping at farmer’s markets offers support to local producers working on family farms and offering goods at prices typically not much more expensive than conventionally-grown produce.

Farmer’s markets also offer craft items, homemade lotions, soaps, lip balms and other skin care products, seasonal bedding plants, jams, jellies and locally-produced honey and fresh baked items.

The local farmer’s market is also a good place to socialize and meet other members of the community.

“I have 45 varieties of heirloom tomato plants ready to transfer into garden beds,” said Mark Thompson, of Sweet Springs Gardens. “They are all non-GMO, heirloom varieties.”

Sarah Rysdam, of Monett, has a full line of soaps, lotions, lip balms and other skin care products for sale at the market each Saturday morning.

Janet Rosier, of River Bottom Creations, markets her craft items, which includes floral arrangements and home decor.

“She even has a line of painted rocks offering tribute to doctors and nurses who have worked the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said her husband, James “Chewy” Vroman, a Cox Monett Hospital employee.