Local Farmer's Markets provide variety in selection
LINCOLN COUNTY – Throughout summer and fall, Farmer’s Markets are a big attraction. Locally, there are three, including two in Troy, the Lincoln County Farmer’s Market and one at the VFW along with the Winfield Farmer’s Artisan Market.
Wanda Gleason manages the Lincoln County Farmer’s Market located at the Tractor Supply in Troy. It is open every Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through the end of October or the first Saturday in November, depending on the weather. Some of the highlights of the market is the variety of produce including watermelon and cantaloupe as well as the animals.
“There are peaches that come from the Bootheel of Missouri,” Gleason said. “He will be there until the middle of September. We have chickens, ducks, and quail. We have fresh eggs.”
In addition, there is fresh processed turkey and chicken and goat’s milk soap that add to the types of items customers can purchase. There are also baked goods, jams, jellies, and apple butter. For those with a sweet tooth, there are pies including rhubarb, strawberry, apple, and peach, plus zucchini and banana bread.
Gleason says what is offered each week changes as the aim is to mix things up. Also, she tries to have a food wagon for lunch each week. Sometimes, there are days where there are crafts but it varies.
All in all, Gleason notes the turnout for this year’s market has been “wonderful.”
“They like homegrown produce,” she said of the customers attending the Lincoln County Farmer’s Market. “I have several produce vendors and one organic. Green beans is a hot item and of course tomatoes. I have a vendor that has several varieties of hot peppers and sweet peppers.”
For the past three years, Becky Wooten has been in charge of the Winfield Farmer’s Artisan Market which is held the first Saturday of each month through September from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 200 Main St.
Beyond that, there will be a pop-up inside market during the colder months at Common Grounds Coffee. Some of the biggest attractions so far this year are the baked goods and natural products like soaps, candles, and oils.
“I have a lady named Sarah who people like to pre-order with her and pick up at the market. She does a lot of cookies and gooey butter cakes. And then I have a lady named Sandra who does gluten-free. And she also has a lot of people come and get pre-orders from her,” Wooten said.
Part of the reason the Winfield Farmer’s Artisan Market was started, Wooten says, is to give back to the community. All the money she gets from the vendors goes “100% into the community.” In previous years, the money went to Winfield School FFA and Bright Futures program.
“This year, I’m giving the money to an emergency chaplain,” she said. “He is actually with the Winfield and Lincoln County fire department, police officers and EMTs. He is there to help guide them and show support to them. He’s a chaplain, but he’s also a firefighter for Winfield-Foley Fire. I know he was raising money, and this year we’ve decided to give it to him at the end of the season.”
The VFW Farmer’s Market in Troy has been run by Steve Jones since last fall and meets once a month from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., but timing tends to vary. With no set schedule, the outside portion of the market will likely run through October. The outside features a variety of produce as well as animals such as rabbits, ducks, and chickens.
“I have a lady named Sarah who people like to pre-order with her and pick up at the market. She does a lot of cookies and gooey butter cakes. And then I have a lady named Sandra who does gluten-free. And she also has a lot of people come and get pre-orders from her,” Wooten said.
Part of the reason the Winfield Farmer’s Artisan Market was started, Wooten says, is to give back to the community. All the money she gets from the vendors goes “100% into the community.” In previous years, the money went to Winfield School FFA and Bright Futures program.
“This year, I’m giving the money to an emergency chaplain,” she said. “He is actually with the Winfield and Lincoln County fire department, police officers and EMTs. He is there to help guide them and show support to them. He’s a chaplain, but he’s also a firefighter for Winfield-Foley Fire. I know he was raising money, and this year we’ve decided to give it to him at the end of the season.”
The VFW Farmer’s Market in Troy has been run by Steve Jones since last fall and meets once a month from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., but timing tends to vary. With no set schedule, the outside portion of the market will likely run through October. The outside features a variety of produce as well as animals such as rabbits, ducks, and chickens.
The inside is for crafters, happening the same time as the external Farmer’s Market that will continue later into the year. All the money raised from vendor set up fees benefits the VFW. The location is 444 State Highway J.
“Every penny of it goes back to the VFW,” Jones said. “We are there for the community so we can continue to support veterans in the community.”
For more information go to lincolncountyfarmersmarket.org, check Facebook for the Winfield market or call Jones at 636-358-7639.
