Walker Community Farmer’s Market: Guest Bloggers “Crew from the Green Scene

The first Walker Community Farmers’ Market was in the summer of 2008.  We had three vendors set up in the garage of our home.  It was only held once, but we were hooked.

In 2010, Green Scene (the host of the farmers’ market) went “brick & mortar” and we resurrected the farmers’ market.  We purchased a building on Michigan Avenue that included a building for our grocery store, lawn space that was perfect for a farmers’ market and a kitchen to prepare fresh food for the customers. We started with three vendors. Paul and Sandy Gilbertson from Armstrong Acres with their fresh chickens, produce and sweets, Rick and Peggy Schmidtke from PRS Farms with fresh pies, breads and cookies and Jeff Molnar from Molnar Gardens with his amazing produce and flowers.  Those three vendors are still with us today.

From our humble beginnings based out of our garage, to our present location we have grown to over 30 weekly vendors; the largest weekly farmer’s market within our area.  We now offer: live music, story time with the local librarian, breakfast, lunch, wood fired oven pizzas, sandwiches, salads, fresh squeezed juice, artisan coffee, quiche, scones, and smoothies. We have a variety of vendors that come with fresh produce, hearth baked bread, locally raised meats, honey, maple syrup, baked goods of all kinds, cupcakes, jams, salsa, essential oils, plants, flowers, soaps, herbal salves, baskets, sunflower oil, emu oil, wild rice, jewelry, yarn, cards, crafts, blankets, rugs, furniture and so much more!

We are preparing for the 2017 season by leveling the ground for ease of foot traffic and expanding the Farmer’s Market hours from 9am-2pm. The new hours will making it easier for residents who have late lunch breaks to make it down to the Farmer’s Market to shop, enjoy our wood fired oven pizza and still have time to experience our live music and shop the vendors.

Story time will return with our local librarian from the Walker Public Library. Every Thursday at 10:30 our local librarian takes the stage and reads an interactive story followed by craft time.

New musicians will also be added to next summer’s schedule in addition of our regulars, so as to support the many talented and diverse musicians of our community.

I am grateful for the customers and community who have supported and embraced the Walker Community Farmers’ Market. I am thankful for our vendors who are dedicated to providing quality products and services on a weekly basis. We look forward to the 2017 Walker Community Farmers Market.