Savor the flavors of summer
Community Garden Market offers more than meets the eyeBy BEN SIMMONS, Staff Writer
Article Photos
Buying fresh fruits and vegetables from the Community Garden Market in Philippi is one of the best ways to support farms, farmers and the economy in Barbour County. The market is a valuable asset to its community and needs support. Area residents can help it gain the recognition it deserves and ensure that it and others like it continue to thrive by participating in the America's Favorite Farmers Market contest.
The contest is a nationwide challenge to see which farmers markets can rally the most support from its customers. The goal is to promote the connection between fresh local food and the local farms and farmland that supply it. Votes can be cast by visiting www.farmland.org/vote.
Operated by Heart and Hand House Inc., the Community Garden Market in Philippi is now in its 18th year of operation. Brenda Hunt, executive director of Heart and Hand House, said more than 90 growers typically participate each summer. She said the market serves more than 1,200 customers each month during the growing season.
"The garden market promotes the health and well-being of our community, not only from a nutritional standpoint, but economically, as well as socially," Hunt said. "It's not just a place to buy and sell fresh, local produce; it's also a place where people come together to share ideas, learn new growing or cooking techniques, support one another, and just catch up on community news. It provides an opportunity, too, for some of our local families to supplement their income. We've had several of our growers tell us that they depend on the income from the market to help pay high winter heating bills or cover medical expenses."
Hunt explained each grower participating in the market receive 80 percent of their product sell, with 20 percent going to Heart and Hand House for handling, market upkeep and advertising.
"Our market is unique in the way it operates," Hunt said. "Where most markets require growers to stay on site and set up their own displays and do the selling themselves, growers at our market are able to drop their items off to us and our market manager and a team of great volunteers take care of the rest. This allows growers who may have other employment to participate in the market."
In addition, Heart and Hand House will handle tax reports and other paperwork required by various government entities. This year farmers will be paid monthly once they've reached $50 in total product sales.
"We have had an amazing variety of items at the market this year - anything from your basic beans and potatoes, to kohlrabi and Thai hot peppers," Hunt said. "Right now we have lots of beans, squash, and peppers of all varieties, and we're beginning to get in some tomatoes. We've also had several types of fruit, including peaches, plums, apples and different berries. In addition, we have beef, eggs, baked goods, including salt rising bread and pastries, and a variety of specialty jams and jellies."
Hunt said several improvements, made possible through a grant from the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and WesMonTy RC&D, have recently been made to the market facilities. The upgrades include a heating system which will help extend the amount of time the market can be open during the year. Hunt said the goal was to make the market a year-round operation.
"Voting for the market is a great way to show community support for the local farmers, gardeners, bakers, and all those who help make the Community Garden Market such a success," Hunt said. "It's really a community success story and what a great tribute it would be to be named one of America's Best."
The Community Garden Market can accept West Virginia WIC and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program coupons, along with SNAP (food stamp) debit cards. The market is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 304-457-1295.
The America's Favorite Farmers Markets contest is a project of the American Farmland Trust. The contest is designed to raise national awareness about the importance of supporting fresh food from local farms and farmers. Market shoppers will vote to support their favorite farmers market starting June 1 until midnight on Aug. 31. People can vote for as many participating farmers markets as they choose, but can only vote for each market once.
At the end of the contest, one small, medium, large and a new category, boutique, farmers market will win the title of Americas Favorite Farmers Market for 2010. The reward for the winning market in each category will be a shipment of No Farms No Food tote bags, along with other prizes including free printing services from iGreenprint and free graphic design services from Virginia based design firm, SQM Communications. The categories are based on the number of vendors the farmers market has. The four categories are: Boutique, 15 or fewer vendors; Small, 16-30 vendors; Medium, 31-55 vendors; and Large, more than 56 vendors.
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elkinsdweller
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07-31-10 9:38 AM
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Dear Intermountain, This article does not tell us WHERE the farmer's market is actually located in Philippi. That would be a helpful piece of information! Thanks!
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