Farmers’ market launches season 18 in Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – City Market launched the Original Farmers Market 18 season Wednesday.
Research showed that for every dollar a person spends at a farmers market, it is recycled five times in the local economy.
It is Jenny Tracy’s favorite time of year.
“Having wonderful weather today. First farmers market of the season. There couldn’t be a nicer day for it,” said Tracy.
She is one of the thousands that were expected to shop at the market over the season. And while they come for the local herbs, flowers and even meat, they stay for the customer service.
“They want to know where their food comes from and how to grow their own food,” said Laura Karr of KG Acres Farm out of Lebanon. “And who better to help you with that than a farmer?”
“Its no longer a trend. Its kind of the new normal,” said Stevie Stoesz, the Executive Director of City Market, and founder of the Original Farmers Market.
It started in 1997 with 17 vendors. At its peak this year, they are expecting 55 vendors.
“The local food movement has such a strong hold and a groundswell of activity and people coming along with it,” said Stoesz.
“I think people are more health conscious,” said Jeff Patrick, the founder of Nicey Treat, a Broad Ripple based, all natural, frozen pops company. “Why not choose something that’s good for you? It’s that simple.”
And people are spending a lot of money. On average $850,000 dollars is spent at the Original Farmer’s Market throughout the season. Stoesz said that results in more than $4 million injected into the local economy this year.
“Its amazing when you think about what kind of impact a farmers market has on the local community,” said Stoesz.
The farmers market runs every Wednesday along Market Street, rain or shine, from now through October. For information, click here.