By Isabella Zarate
For 11 years the Homer Farmers Market has brought a sense of community to the town.
Starting on the first Wednesday of May and running till September, the market is open to the public every Wednesday from 4-6 p.m.
In previous years, the market had been led by Sara Essig who unfortunately passed away at the end of last season. Though, in Essig’s memory, her family donated her booth items back to the market. This year, those items will be for sale with all proceeds going towards helping the market thrive.
New market leader, Rebbecca Ries, explained how the “hope is to use the market funds for a community garden at some point in the future.”
Another difference from last year’s market is that more vendor booth spaces are available this season. Plus, The House of Brisket is expected to bring their food truck to the market every few weeks.
For those who have visited the market in previous years, you can expect to see at least five new vendors.
One of the newbies, Laura Struck, will be selling laser printed items such as earrings, key chains, bottle openers, and even charcuterie boards. Some may also know Dani Kusman, from Made by Danielle. Dani will have a booth with a variety of crocheted items including rugs, baskets, and other home goods.
Also amongst the season’s new vendors is Gwen Happ. Happ’s booth will offer pollinator plants, wildflower seeds and seed bombs, as well as infromational material consdiering the importance of pollination.
Other new vendors will be selling things such as produce, custom t-shirts, tumblers, and hand-made gifts.
Along with the new booths, there will be a number of returning favorites.
“Sharon’s produce is always a hit, and people love June’s local honey,” Ries shares.
“Katie’s new earrings are selling like hotcakes, and Sheila has lots of loyal customers.”
She goes on, “Dave’s booth, especially the one at 102 N. Ellen St., provides quality plants that are very popular early in the market season when people are starting up their gardens. Laura Death’s sweet corn sells out every week when it’s ready and at the market too.”
According to Ries, the market’s mission is “To connect the community with local producers, educate on home grown produce, strengthen our local food economy, provide access to local artisans, to serve as the community front porch.”
“Essentially, we want to bring easy access to market products to the people of Homer. The market also adds a little fun to Wednesday evenings and helps build the sense of community in Homer even more.”
