Spring is here despite recent cold temperatures, and county residents will soon have the opportunity to sample some of the freshest produce served up by local farmers and gardeners.The Farm Market will open Saturday at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds, Warsaw.
The market has been part of Kosciusko County for about 34 years. Later in the season, shoppers can find fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers at the market. Saturday, the market will feature locally raised beef and pork, eggs, baked goods, maple syrup and bedding plants.
The market provides an opportunity for local farmers and gardeners to sell their fruit and vegetables, and it provides shoppers with the opportunity to buy the freshest produce the county has to offer. All produce sold at the market is grown or raised in Kosciusko County.
"It's fresh and it's from here in the county," said Farm Market president Lisa Hawley, "so, you're supporting local growers."
Hawley said she thinks shoppers will be pleased with prices they find at the market, too.
"We're a little less than the grocery store on some things," she said. "We try to keep it pretty competitive."
As spring approaches, Hawley said some local growers are getting a head start, planting seeds in greenhouses, but most of the produce will arrive at the market beginning in mid summer.
Early in the season, Hawley said, eight to 10 vendors can typically be found at the market. By late July, the number of vendors grows to 20 more.
Hawley said new vendors are welcome at the market and can get information by stopping by the fairgrounds after the market opens or by calling 574-265-3916.
Most produce vendors at the market accept Women Infants and Children vouchers. WIC vouchers can be used to purchase produce.
The market is open Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:30-5 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon. The closing date for this year's Farm Market is Oct. 29.
