Despite the gloomy rain and a series of newly-instituted social distancing rules, the Allen County Farmers Market was in full swing Thursday.
According to Calvin Parker, the market’s seasonal debut last week “was a little slow,” perhaps because people were skittish about leaving their homes.
This week, vendor Ashton Heck of Heck Farms in Anderson County had brought a number of vegetables to the market, including lettuce, onions, asparagus and radishes.
He hopes to have sweet corn by the end of June. The promise of corn speaks to the fact that every time one goes to the market it can be different, with new vendors and items.
Heck said “this year’s been better than last year” in terms of growing because of last year’s heavy rains.
Heck has 28 years of farming experience, and has been bringing food to the market since 2010 when it first began.
Debbie Bearden brought both eggs and chicken to the market, and said that she’d sold out of the items she’d brought last week.
“Our shoppers really appreciate the fresh food,” Bearden added.
Bearden expressed a little frustration over the market’s new social distancing guidelines, saying “right now, we have to keep people moving through the market,” which means “we don’t have time to really visit.”
That said, “we appreciate every shopper that comes through,” and noted how visitors are adapting well to the guidelines, which include having to enter and exit from the north side of the market-space.
Christine Tholen brought fresh bread and numerous herbs, including chives, cilantro, lemon balm, parsley, spearmint, thyme, sage and oregano.
She’s been selling wares at the market for the past four years.
“I have a big garden at home,” Tholen said, so “this is a great outlet for the extras.”
“We’re always looking for more vendors,” she added, and pointed out how one need not have an extensive farm or garden operation to participate.
“People think you have to be a farmer,” Tholen said, “but you don’t.”
Thursday’s market was the first for vendors Andy and Helen Roberts of Stark.
