The Veneta Downtown Farmers’ Market is set to open Saturday, May 4th and almost 40 applications have been received from farmers and artisans who hope to sell their goods. Though not all 40 will be present every week, Board Treasurer Heather Blake says the market will average 18 vendors, with 1/3 being farms with produce and starts.
Also on hand will be bakers with fresh bread, unique sales of sourdough, cupcakes, and cookies. Crafts will be available from non-profit vendors such as Applegate Art Guild and Master Gardeners will be available twice a month to answer plant-related queries. The Farmers’ Market is a big supporter of youth in the community and to that end, hosted three youth vendors last year who sold art, jewelry, and drawings. Once school is out for the year, the market expects to see more youth selling their wares. As in previous years, the market will provide Double up Food Bucks where those with SNAP benefits can run their card and have their money doubled. Every child 12 and under receives a token under Produce for Kids that will allow them to purchase their own produce, or a plant start to grow their own food. This has proven very popular and to this end, the market has added this year the Little Lettuce Kids Market that allows those children 12 and under to receive a $5 token to purchase fresh fruit, vegetables, plant starts, mushrooms and legumes. There is no income requirement, but only one token per child is to be given and the token must be used the same day. Also new this year is Bucka, Bucka, Bucks, a program that distributes $5 tokens for people to purchase local chicken and eggs. There is a limit of two tokens per family and there is no proof of income required. As that is needed is for those who wish to avail themselves of this program to state their household size. As with the kids’ program, the tokens must be used the same day. If one wishes to sell their goods at the market, they must make their baked goods and crafts themselves and they must live within 50 miles for farms and 40 miles for artisans. Resale is forbidden. The market is actively seeking meat vendors as they currently do not have one that is reliable. They are also open to recruiting more volunteers to help implement programs for kids as well as for the senior/disabled of the community. Help is also needed to put up signage. If interested, one should email [email protected] and either Blake or Site Manager April Hartley will be more than happy to get in touch. The Veneta Downtown Farmers’ Market is held in the grassy expanse by Harold’s Center and hours of operation are Saturdays from 10-2. It’s a great way to support local farms and artists while being able to eat locally grown produce and enjoy locally made goods.
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