Peabody farmers market still successful after nine years
By JESSICA BERNHARDT
Staff writer
Nine years ago Marilyn Jones and her husband Gary helped start the farmers market in Peabody. And nine years later, it's still a success.
Every Saturday morning from Memorial Day through Labor Day, vendors and shoppers can be found in Santa Fe Park for the farmers market.
Marilyn said, "There was actually another fellow in the community who thought it would be a really good idea to have a market." She said the Kansas Rural Center has people to assist communities with these events. "A man came and said they had money available for a grant to get started. That was basically used for advertising. We were able to get another grant this year, mostly for advertising."
The cost to set up a booth is $20 for the season, or $5 for one time to try it out.
Jones said the whole idea of the market is to get people to shop and eat locally. "It's a fun time. We offer coffee and some people do baked goods. We have the freshest of produce and the vendors make it successful."
Sarah Hofkamp is a vendor at the market who sells baked goods. She said she attends every week unless something else comes up. "It's a good time to get in touch with people in the town. I like talking to people and socializing."
Gary also is at the market every week. The Jones's specialize in homegrown tomatoes.
Marilyn said the market is strictly for locally grown produce. "We have really good baked goods — bread and cinnamon rolls."
Darlene Sacks specializes in angel food cakes that are made from scratch with farm-fresh eggs. She also makes brownies and bread. "I think meeting with the people and talking to the people is special."
Not only are produce and baked goods for sale, but handmade items are as well. Linda Wetta makes dishcloths and coasters. She also grows beans, lettuce, and cucumbers.
"It's a great way to connect with the community. It gets you down here at the end of Main Street and you get to see people every week. It's also a great way to get rid of garden overflow.
"Every week I think I find something else someone else brings that I just have to have."
