CENTERBURG — In the current economic climate, farmers markets aren’t just popular because of health, food quality, carbon footprint and supporting small-town society. They’re becoming a prime place to shop.
Carol Walker was at the farmers market in Centerburg on Thursday, and said she always goes to them.
“Now, you almost have to, with the price of gas,” Walker said, before buying some fresh baked goods.
According to Debbie Henthorn, manager of the market, vendors were already seeing a good number of customers just in their second week. This early in the season, only a couple of vendors were set up, but Henthorn noted that at their peak last summer, they had eight or nine vendors; she said they might see more this summer as interest continues to grow in farmers markets.
She said that last year they tried holding markets on Fridays, but came to the conclusion that people were more interested in leaving work and getting home than in shopping for produce on Fridays. That prompted a change to Thursdays this season to avoid competition with other markets.
Henthorn’s baking operation, dubbed The Wright Taste, is a familiar site from area markets. In addition to selling baked goods at the Mount Vernon market on Saturdays, Henthorn also works the farmers market in Delaware, which takes place on Wednesdays.
Henthorn said produce will begin showing up soon, as some of the earlier fruits and vegetables begin ripening, and with it will come the peak crowds of the season.
“The produce makes the market,” said Henthorn. “I know I’m along for the ride.”
Henthorn herself sticks to baking and making spice mixes, claiming that she has a black thumb when it comes to growing. Her most popular baked good is her asiago cheese, sweet onion and garlic bread.
“I bake that last you can still smell it by the time I get out here,” Henthorn said.
Vendors interested in selling at the Centerburg farmers market can contact Henthorn at 893-2557. There is no fee to set up; Henthorn said crafters are welcome to sell as long as they take care of their own sales taxes on transactions.
The market takes place every Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. in front of the Heart of Ohio Do It Best hardware store at 3941 Columbus Road.
