Area farmers planning special 'market' celebration

(Photo by Randy M. Cauthron) Jim Larsen, with A & J Orchard, gets ready to bag some items for customer Penate Evans, a regular shopper at Spencer's Farmers Market. [Order this photo]

For many more years than most of the current members can recall, the Farmers Market has been a part of the Spencer landscape. In recent years, members of the Spencer organization have offered their homegrown produce to area shoppers on Saturday and Wednesday mornings from 7:30 a.m. to noon in the parking lot at the Southpark Mall.

Over the years, everything from homemade jellies and jams to salsa have been offered alongside the wide selection of garden produce at the Spencer Area Farmers Market. To celebrate the annual summer tradition, the Spencer organization is joining other Farmers Market organizations across the state participating in Iowa Farmers Market Week/National Farmers Market Week.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey encouraged Iowans to visit one of Iowa's more than 220 farmers markets located in communities across the state. Nineteen of the markets across the state, including Spencer, are participating in the statewide promotional effort

"August is a great time to visit your local farmers market and enjoy all the fresh foods and local produce, and the Farmers Market Week events just provide added incentive," Northey said.

The goal of this project is to increase consumer awareness, availability of, knowledge and use of specialty crops grown in Iowa and available at farmers markets.

Spencer vendors will be grilling vegetables and offering free samples on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Southpark Mall location from 7:30 a.m. to noon. Additionally, mall merchants will be handing out $1 gift certificates to customers during the week leading up to the event, which can be redeemed on Aug. 8 with Spencer Farmers Market vendors.

Free tote bags will be handed out while supplies last.

Hy-Vee will also be on hand grilling burgers from it stand, and recipe cards for items at the market will be available from various vendors on site.

Penate Evans doesn't need the extra incentives to stop at the local market. "I love the Farmers Market. My favorite thing is fresh vegetables."

Judy Miller, president of the Spencer Farmers Market group this year, has been selling goods from Spencer Orchard and Gardens since 1992. She believes the local market began in the 1980s.

"I just enjoy seeing the people, they come back every year," said Miller of her experiences. Noting that she doesn't get a lot of summer weekends off, she added, "A lot come back week to week."

The sellers begin in May annually and continue into October -- bringing their products to town twice a week. Additionally, some vendors take part in Mainstreet Market during July and early August on Thursday evenings.

(Photo by Randy M. Cauthron) Spencer Farmers Market President Judy Miller, with Spencer Orchard and Gardens, enjoys spending time with customers at her stand, many of whom return on a weekly and yearly basis. [Order this photo]

Jim Larson, coordinator of the Spencer celebration events, is also the marketing director and treasurer of Spencer Farmers Market. Operating A & J Orchard, he has been part of the "market" family for the past six years.

Originally, Larsen sold tomatoes, raspberries and a few cucumbers.

"My items have expanded over the years. Now I have several items and I've started an apple orchard."

Miller too has an apple orchard as part of her operation.

Now 10 vendors offer several types of garden produce, jelly and jams, honey -- and of course -- the popular sweet corn.

"Some of the older vendors retire, and we get some new ones in," Larsen said of the changing product line available.

"The interest of Iowans in local foods and farmers markets continues to grow, and as a result we have over 220 Farmers Markets in operation across the state this year, up from 184 last year," Northey said. "These farmers markets provide residents with direct access to Iowa's nutritious, affordable and delicious products."

Farmers Markets make an estimated $31.5 million impact on the Iowa economy by giving local producers a place to directly market their goods and bringing business to town centers. Over 135,000 Iowans shop regularly at their local farmers market during the typical 22-week market season. Eighty-eight of Iowa's 99 counties have markets operating in them.