Happy harvesting

By JENNIFER MOONSONG
Glasgow Daily Times

July 19, 2008 03:09 pm

— Farmers’ markets in southcentral Kentucky are picking up their pace again, although there has been some confusion as to which markets operate when.
There were complaints from marketgoers who were driving to sites in Cave City and Edmonton only to find them empty.
Meanwhile, St. Andrews Farmers’ Market and a Tuesday morning market at the health department, both in Glasgow, have been busy since spring.
“We really are doing very well,” said Suzanne Barrow of St. Andrews. “I am surprised by how well we have done. We have just been sitting back and watching as more growers and customers keep coming.”
Barrow attributes the success of the market this season to the unity of the group and a sense of community rather than competition.
“Our vendors are a great group of people who really support one another,” said Barrow.
Rising fuel prices and a lull in the growing season have been factors in some marketplaces changing their days of operation and the number of vendors participating.
“We had seven vendors set up this past Tuesday,” said Jennifer Kinsner, coordinator of the Cave City and health department farmers’ market. “That’s a lot of vendors for a Tuesday.”
On Tuesday, a group of growers sell their produce at the health department. On Fridays, many of those vendors take their homegrown goodness to the Cave City Convention Center.
Kinsner said part of the confusion and frustration that fueled complaints was due to a change in schedule. The Cave City Farmers’ Market originally operated on Saturdays as well, but has dropped that day.
“We have not been setting up at the convention center on Saturday,” she said.
Initially, they made the decision not to open on Saturdays because of a slow growing season. Now the vendors aren’t setting up on Saturdays because of the prosperity of the Tuesday and Friday markets.
“Fridays and Tuesdays are really good days,” said Kinsner. “Despite gas prices, we have several people buying and selling. Lately, it has been good on both ends.”
Beginning this week, the Cave City Farmers’ Market will offer fresh peaches from Jackson’s Orchard.
“Everyone kept asking for peaches, but they came in later too,” said Kinsner.
Any questions or comments about the Cave City be directed to Jennifer Kinsner at 777-3360.
The Metcalfe County Farmers’ Market has also started seeing more growers and buyers.
“The past three weeks have been very good,” said Lynn Blankenship of the Metcalfe County Extension office.
“Gas prices and the tomato scare put a damper on things for a while, but now that the vegetables are coming in we are seeing a lot more people out there.”
The Metcalfe County market, located across from the Extension office, operates Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. until sell out.