By JON HARTMAN
I must say, I am very happy to see that Elizabethton once again has a farmer’s market! When I would be out and about, a farmer’s market was one of the top requests I would get. So when a young lady approached me with a group about starting one I asked how I could help!
Farmer’s markets are a great thing for a community. They provide an easy way for members of the community to obtain fresh, seasonal produce creating a healthier community. They promote community by introducing and meeting new market goers that live locally in our community. Additionally, you get to meet and come to know the vendors from whom you are purchasing your products. Lastly, farmer’s markets also provide an easy way for local businesses and farmers to sell their products directly to consumers so there is no middle-man to pay and allowing them to potentially make more money while allowing you to still receive a low price.
Our farmer’s market does all of these things for our community and helps strengthen our local economy, but we must not take this all for granted. Farmer’s markets depends on one thing — the people that show up. If a vendor doesn’t make enough money at a market, they will leave or simply determine it’s not worth their time to go. If there is the appearance of no customers at the market, others driving by may easily think, “There must not be a lot at the market today. We can just go on home instead of stopping.” Groups and crowds of people attract other people.
For our new farmer’s market to be successful and for our new farmer’s market to be around next year and the year after that, it needs your support! Stop by and talk with a few shoppers or a vendor or two. Make a purchase while you’re there. It doesn’t have to be a lot — a five-dollar purchase will go a long way towards showing your support of that vendor and the market as a whole. I have recently started purchasing my eggs at the market. They’re usually about four dollars per dozen, which is a little more than what I would pay at the grocery store, but I’m also supporting a local business person, I’m supporting my local, Elizabethton economy, and I’m supporting my local market.
Take some time this next Tuesday between 5 and 8 p.m. and stop by our local farmer’s market between First Christian Church and the Police Station. Spend a few dollars on some hand-made soap, fresh berries, healthy greens, or maybe a dozen of eggs and show that you support this market and want to see it around in the years to come. Let’s talk about it!
(Jon Hartman is Director of Planning & Economic Development for the City of Elizabethton. He can be contacted at jhartman@cityofelizabethton.org or (423) 542-1503)