Farmers market prepares to close after inaugural run, vows to return

It started with strawberries and will end with pumpkins.

The inaugural season of the Sedalia Area Farmers Market is coming to a close Saturday with vendors dressed in costumes, five-star caramel popcorn giveaways for children from Larm’s Farm, a children’s play area and a  pumpkin harvest soup demonstration by chef Heidi Heimsoth.

“Overall, I think we had a fantastic year for the inaugural year,” said Bev Hayes, market liaison.

Hayes attributes the success of the first year to the planning of market president Beverly Rollings, who has been a part of the planning for more than a year.

“I’m so proud of the quality of vendors offered and the customers we had,” Rollings said. “I’m just looking forward to next year.”

It takes about three years for a farmer’s market to become solid. Part of the challenge is getting people to make a habit of shopping at the market. Hayes thinks the Sedalia Area Farmers Market was fairly successful in achieving that in its first year.

“Once you taste the difference between a locally, fresh grown product, there’s no comparison, and you want that in your diet and on your table,” Hayes said.

She will miss the fresh produce this winter, but has already stocked her freezer with rough chopped peppers and squash.

The market served about 4,000 customers throughout its 52 days. Hayes estimated more than half of those customers were repeat visitors. However, Rollings also noted that there were first-time customers nearly every market day.

Rick and Merrilee Weaver, both 55, moved to Sedalia in July, during the midst of the market. The couple frequented the market about once a week and typically shopped for fresh vegetables and chicken, but have purchased “a little of this, a little of that,” said Merrilee.

The Weavers have bought baked goods, toys and cacti at the market.

“I think having the variety is good,” Rick said. “A good variety makes it interesting.”

More than 30 vendors participated throughout the season, selling everything from plants and honey to soap and baked goods. Among those was devoted market vendor Val Larm, who sold homemade jams, jellies, bread, plant starters and toys, including The Rocket, which shoots a two-liter bottle 50 to 70 feet in the air.

“Just the idea of it, how healthy it is and educating people,” Larm said of her dedication to the market. “I enjoy doing this.”

Jim Thomas, of Share-Life Farms near Marshall, added Sedalia to his list of markets, which includes Kansas City and Columbia. He thought, overall, the Sedalia market had a good first year. It started with a bang and tapered off a bit, but business is climbing again in the last few weeks, Thomas said.

“I think that the season we as farmers had hurt it some,” he said.

Thomas was unable to provide the variety of produce that he had originally hoped. Rain dampened Thomas’ sales overall from last year.

“I hope the folks will come back and not be discouraged,” Thomas said. “Hopefully, we’ll have a better year next year.”

The market also hosted a variety of entertainers from musicians to chefs who gave cooking demonstrations.
Plans are already in the works for next season. Rollings is working to partner with members of the Hispanic and Ukrainian communities to provide diversity at the market. Market board members also would like to see more fruit, meat and cheese vendors and more customers. They are working on providing a winter market about twice a month to sell baked goods, jams and jellies. The winter market would set up inside C and C Coffeehouse during bad weather.

Hayes anticipates most of the vendors will return next season.

“We had as many as 30 vendors that were on the list, but we had a very unusual growing season with the rain,” she said. “If next year cooperates better ... we could see 40 to 50 vendors.”