Loudonville Farmers Market seeks vendors
As the Loudonville Farmers Market prepares for its inaugural season, the committee is welcoming applications from interested vendors and sponsors. The market aims to connect local farmers and producers with the community, providing easier access to fresh and healthy vegetables, prepared foods, crafts and more.
The market will be held in Central Park of Loudonville every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon from May 25 to Sept. 28, except for July 6, which is the Loudonville Car Show.
The market is being overseen by the Loudonville FFA Alumni & Supporters and managed by a committee of local farmers and producers.
“We want to make sure that this market truly represents area farmers and growers and that they have a say in how this works,” FFA Alumni President Kenny Libben said.
In addition to the staples of most farmers markets such as produce and flowers, Libben said the group is eager to find a variety of other goods ranging from eggs including duck, pheasant and more to frozen meats, honey and wax products, local maple syrup, fresh baked breads and desserts, goat-milk lotions and soaps, fresh herbs, live house plants, artwork, crafts such as woodworking or metalworking and more.
The market aims to focus on local and sustainable goods while emphasizing no reselling is allowed. Libben said they want customers to be able to trust all products are local and homegrown or homemade, not simply purchased in bulk elsewhere and resold at a markup like at many other markets.
The market also is seeking sponsors to help cover administrative costs including advertising and other additions such as live music.
Those interested in either becoming a vendor or a sponsor are encouraged to visit the market’s website at www.loudonvilleffa.com/market, where full details on the market can be found.
The deadline for vendor applications is April 7, which Libben said would give potential vendors ample time to scale their plans for planting or other means of production if selected, noting additional vendors are welcome to apply after the April 7 deadline, but those in the first batch will be given priority and discounted rates.