Farmers’ Market to start in May

Published 10:38 am Tuesday, April 10, 2018

It’s about that time to shop for veggies, bread, meat, fruit, coffee, hot sauce, flowers and more at the Winchester/Clark County Farmers’ Market.

The Winchester/Clark County Farmers’ Market is gearing up for opening day.

Leah Guggenmos, market manager, said vendors are especially working on growing tomatoes to prepare for its opening.

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The farmers’ market is set to open 8 a.m. Saturday, May 12.

“Everyone always looks forward to opening day even though we don’t have as much,” Guggenmos said.

The market will run each Saturday during the summer season on Depot Street from 8 a.m. to noon. It will also open on Tuesdays in June from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Guggenmos said there are a few new vendors this year including Blackfish Bison Ranch.

The market has about 25 vendors with everything from a gourmet food truck, handmade soap in Kentucky, fresh flowers, bedding plants, bread, state champion honey, farm fresh free range eggs to the local vegetables and fruit.

Guggenmos said the market is also working closely with the city to get a permanent structure built.

“The farmers’ market mission is to help improve access to fresh and local foods, to improve the ability for farmers to sell their products and hopefully benefit both ends,” she said.

The market has also put the following events on its calendar:

— Kids Day at the Market, June 2 at 8 a.m.

— Veggie Fest, July 14 at 8 a.m.

At Kid’s Day, children aged 13 and under will receive $10 dollars in vouchers to use on any future farmers market day in the 2018 season, according to the market’s Facebook page.

Vouchers are valid on fruits, vegetables, and select other items at the market.

The market will also offer food tastings, face painting and entertainment.

Every child will also go home with a free vegetable plant to start their own home garden.

Guggenmos said the best way to keep up to date is to look on the market’s Facebook. She said they will post previews of the products each week.

The Double Dollars program has also returned to the Winchester-Clark County Farmers’ Market. The program is designed to assist low-income families in 22 Kentucky counties to afford locally grown produce. The program is built on the partnership of several nongovernmental organizations, state agencies and farmers.Participating markets, like the Winchester-Clark County Farmers’ Market, can double the value of some vouchers for seniors and those receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, Guggenmos said.

“We try to be accessible to everybody which is really important to us, so we are looking forward to getting started this year,” she said.

About Lashana Harney

Lashana Harney is a reporter for The Winchester Sun. Her beats include schools and education, business and commerce, Winchester Municipal Utilities and other news. To contact her, email lashana.harney@winchestersun.com or call 859-759-0015.

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