Twin City Farmers Market opens with new vendors
New this year to the Twin City Farmers Market is shopping carts.
With a move to Fourth Street in Dennison this year, the Twin City Farmers Market is now open every Friday in June, July and August from 5-8 p.m. with the exception of July 4.
There are more than 30 vendors at the market including some children who were making sales on the first night of the market June 6.
Theo Stocker, 10, of Dennison began about a year ago, asking his mother Wendy Manson, one of the organizers of the Twin City Farmers Market, if he could start his own business.
“We looked at the cottage food laws, and we found out we could make granola,” Stocker said.
It was his first time at the market selling Teddy’s Granola, which he developed.
He has put a lot of work into making the granola. He cleans his work area first before getting out his ingredients and equipment like measuring cups.
“After you get all your stuff, you mix your dry ingredients first, and then you mix your wet ingredients, then you mix them together,” Stocker said.
Stocker then spreads the ingredients on a baking sheet and places them in the oven to bake. He labels the bags, packages the granola and heat seals the bags.
“Then I get them all ready to sell to people from my house or to come to markets like this,” Stocker said.
What is Stocker planning to do with his earnings?
“Well, first I had to pay my mom and dad for all the stuff that they got me to help make granola,” Stocker said. “Then after that, I’m going to save for something really big. I don’t know yet, but I’m waiting for something really big to buy.”
Wearing her “Local Egg Dealer” T-shirt, Nola Angel, 5, of Port Washington and her friend Alice Gray, 9, of Port Washington were ready to sell eggs. They had chicken eggs and quail eggs for sale. This is their first year at the market; they help hatch the birds and care for the poultry.
Alice Gray’s older sister Lily, 11, will be at the next market selling hand-crocheted washcloths and handmade earrings.
The youth represent the next generation of vendors for the farmers market — the people who will ensure the market continues into the future.
Cara Randall of Uhrichsville was one of Stocker’s customers.
“I love the farmers market. I’ve been coming every season, so I didn’t want to miss the opening day,” Randall said, adding she likes that the market will be held every Friday.
Erin Wires of Midvale was at the market for the first time.
“I’m so glad they started doing this,” Wires said.
She had already purchased some scones and tea and plans to return in the future for sourdough bread.
Michelle Hallman of Dennison enjoys visiting farmers markets.
“I like the location this year. It’s not blocking off the street, and it looks like they’ve got a lot more,” Hallman said. “They’ve got a good variety, they’ve got produce, and they’ve got baked goods, and they’ve got crafts and things as well.”
There are many things that attract her attention at the market.
“A lot of times we look for produce, and then the meats from Angel Farms are really good too and Michael’s Nuts, of course,” Hallman said.
The Kids Club activities will happen at every market this summer and a market and outdoor kitchen loyalty program.
The market has more than 30 vendors participating this year, and they have room for more. Fourth Street could be closed off to add extra space.
“We have a lot of different options to choose from,” Wendy Manson said. “The outdoor kitchen is where they’ll have cooking demos, and everybody who’s going to do a cooking demo in the outdoor kitchen is going to be different. There’s going to be some summer salad demos. I think we’re going to have Latino food one time.”
There will be various vendor demos at their booths including floral arranging, grain grinding and more.
Manson is pleased to have a farmers market in the Twin Cities after attending similar events when she was growing up in Columbus.
“Quality food is a basic need. Several friends and community members linked up, and that’s how the market came to be,” Manson said. “We wanted more, and our community deserves something worthwhile like this farmers market. It’s so nice having it right here by that historic depot.”