One of downtown’s weekend traditions will return to the Public Square on Saturday, May 4. The Mount Vernon Farmers Market offers locally grown fruits and vegetables, locally raised chicken, beef, and pork, honey, maple syrup, baked goods, unique jellies, flowers, personal care products and more.
All vendors grow or produce what they sell within 25 miles of downtown, making this a truly local market. The advantages of eating locally grown fruits and vegetables are many. There are more vitamins and minerals in freshly harvested vegetables – more so than those shipped from other states or even other countries that you find at chain grocery stores. Less energy is used to transport food from a local farm. And when you purchase locally grown products, you’re helping the local economy.
More than 25 vendors have signed up to participate this year. Many are returning, and there will be some new faces this year. All produce vendors are required to take Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) training from OSU Extension Knox County. The training is held to ensure that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled, and stored to minimize risks of microbial food safety hazards. All cottage foods are labeled, showing name and address, ingredients, and weight.
Once again, the market is making it possible for consumers of all income levels to shop there. SNAP program participants can bring their cards to the market booth at the base of the monument and redeem benefits for tokens to spend. Also, Produce Perks will be matched with the SNAP amount of up to $25. While the SNAP tokens can be used for anything edible, Produce Perks can only be used to purchase fruits and vegetables.
Later in the season, additional incentives will be offered to families and seniors aged 60 and up.
One of the incentives for 2024 is the Eat Fresh, Eat Local program offered by the Knox County Task Force for Older Adults. Task force representatives will be on hand to distribute $10 worth of tokens each week through early October. Seniors are asked to limit themselves to twice per month for this program. The only requirements are that recipients be 60 years of age or older, be Knox County residents, and show identification.
Shoppers can find out more about the market each week by following the market on Facebook and Instagram or signing up for emails at Farmersmarketmountvernon@gmail.com. Listen to the updates on the first Monday of each month through November on WMVO (93.7 HD2, wmvo.com, 100.9 FM) during the AM Knox County program at 10 a.m.
