As winter prepares to make its seasonal exit, spring seemingly has continued to bloom a bit in at least one location and made room for fresh vegetables and more.
The Columbus City Winter Farmers Market continues from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays through March 26 at Columbus’ FairOaks Mall, 2380 25th St.
Organizer Sane Hummel said the gathering that attracted hundreds when it kicked off Dec. 5 still features plenty of produce such as kale, swiss chard, lettuces, peppers, carrots, turnips and radishes.
There also is a solid selection of farm-raised meats such as chicken, pork, beef, lamb and turkey, plus homemade breads, cakes and other desserts.
Kim Eckrote- Showalter, FairOaks’ general manager, said the first-time event has been a good draw.
“We love it,” Eckrote-Showalter said. “The added foot traffic has been good for us, and especially because Saturday mornings are not exactly the busiest time for a mall.”
Several local shoppers said in December that a winter market was needed in Columbus.
Hummel, who leads the Columbus City Summer Farmers Market from June through September, launched the winter market after seeing them succeed in other areas. She already aims to organize it again in December.
“I definitely consider it a success even though we have seen that in some ways in just baby steps,” Hummel said recently after a day of farmers market-related meetings in Indianapolis. “And I’m looking to expand it.”
One new vendor is Hydroponic Greens of Taylorsville, which features vegetables grown in high tunnels. In the past couple of months, the market also has featured a wide variety of other items, from pet accessories to Christmas gifts.
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What: Columbus City Winter Farmers Market.
Where: West end of Columbus’ FairOaks Mall near Carson’s, 2380 25th St.
When: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays through March 26.
Admission: Free.
Information: 812-378-0539 or Columbus City Farmers Market Facebook page.
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