A small Columbus Winter Farmers Market will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday and continue each Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon through March 23 at 1580 Central Ave.
Local farmer Dan Fleming is a volunteer facilitator for the gathering that probably will feature only three or four vendors initially and probably only a few more after that, he said.
Sande Hummel, who had operated the Columbus City Winter Farmers Market inside FairOaks Mall for the past three winters, has ended that venture. And she said she already is looking forward to her summer market planned again for the FairOaks front parking lot facing 25th Street beginning June 1.
Fleming, who operates Fleming Family Beef, was a member of the Columbus Food Co-Op that originally planned to locate in that Central Avenue space. He said this weekend’s kickoff probably would include his various beef cuts, plus vendors with lamb, chicken, and eggs. He said producer growers would join the market in a few weeks.
The local Winding Waters Sierra Club also will have a booth this weekend. The club has started a pollinator plant project that will include a plant sale starting Saturday.
The native plant sale will be 9 a.m. to noon at the market, continuing Saturdays through March 2.
The sale deadline is March 6 to turn in order forms. Plant pick-up will be one day only — 2 to 6 p.m. May 3 at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, Building No. 1, 750 W. County Road 200S. Order forms and plant brochures with photos and plant information will be available at the market. To receive forms by email or for more information, write to Julie Lowe at j_lowe66@yahoo.com.
Fleming said he was approaching the market without big plans or goals, adding that he merely wanted a place for people to go for their favorite locally-produced items. He also is open to adding other vendors — at a price of $12 weekly for booth space, to go to the building owner — with local and organic items such as flowers and crafts.
He said he is urging vendors to be present for at least seven of the 10 Saturdays in order to satisfy regular customers.
“If we’re successful enough for vendors to be happy, then I will say it’s a success,” Fleming said.
For more information, email dfleming828@yahoo.com.
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What: Columbus Winter Farmers Market
When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday
Where: 1580 Central Ave., former proposed location for the Columbus Food Coop
What’s offered: Beef cuts, plus vendors with lamb, chicken, and eggs. Produce growers would join the market in a few weeks.
For more information:
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