The vendors at the Cedar Farmer’s Market are preparing to share one last bounty with the public before closing up shop for the winter.
On October 30, the market will sport a Halloween theme, and kids who come in costume will receive a treat from each vendor. Trinitude will also make a special music appearance.
“It’s going to be a spooktacular Halloween,” said Betty Benson, the market’s entertainment coordinator. “It’s a nice way to say goodbye and have fun.”
Benson anticipates there will be about 35 vendors for the final market, selling everything from garlic to potatoes, winter squash to pies, chicken to lamb, baked goods and more.
“You’re going to see stuff at the Farmer’s Market that you wouldn’t necessarily think about this time of year like peonies, peony roots, flowers and all kinds of fresh fruit,” she added.
“The frost took the green peppers, but it didn’t take root vegetables, so anything that grows in the ground will be for sale at the market.”
The Cedar Farmer’s Market runs from mother’s day to Halloween each year, and can have as many as 58 vendors during the summer season. Despite the inclement weather, the market has seen a growth in both vendors and attendees.
“It’s been exceptional, we’ve had a real growth spurt this year,” Benson said. “There is a large population in our community who want local food, and whatever you can grow, you can sell at the Farmer’s Market.”
She added that more people are turning to the 100 mile diet and enjoying it, not just because of the product but because it supports local businesses as well.
“People want to have really safe food, they want to have tasty, nutritious food. They don’t want it to have to travel from California or Mexico,” she said.
Part of embracing the ‘eat local’ lifestyle can include getting to know your local farmer, Benson said.
“You can talk to your local producer and see how their product is grown, you’ll get invites to their farm to build a rapport between the people who grow your food, and know what you’re eating precisely,” she said.
The weather has posed some trouble for local farmers, Benson said, particularly the cold wet spring which makes planting difficult.
“We have had very small beets and very young tender carrots but it is local and it is wonderful product,” she said.
When asked how they are planning to fare the ‘coldest winter in 20 years’ being predicted by meterologists, Benson said it’s a matter of wait and see.
“We don’t really know how cold ‘cold’ is, so we’re going to take it one day at a time,” she said.
The Cedar Farmer’s market will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 30 and is located at the Crow and Gate Pub, 2313 Yellow Point Road. For more information, visit www.cedarfarmersmarket.com
