The four Jefferson County farmers markets are opening for the season over the next week.
The De Soto Farmers Market held a preview last Saturday (April 30), but its official opening day is this Saturday (May 7).
The Arnold Farmers Market also opens for the season on Saturday.
Then, the Hillsboro Farmers Market will open Wednesday (May 11), followed by the Cedar Hill Farmers Market, which opens Friday (May 13).
De Soto
The De Soto Farmers Market will celebrate its new season with a grand opening extravaganza Saturday at the market’s new location – a newly constructed pavilion at 520 N. Main St.
The market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through October.
Thirty vendors will be on hand for Saturday’s grand opening, including some selling fresh, locally grown produce.
“We will have fresh asparagus, kale, lettuce and spinach available,” said Debby Campbell, executive director of Get Healthy De Soto, a nonprofit organization that operates the Farmers Market.
Vendors also will sell artisanal products and handmade items.
Following tradition, the market held a preview event on April 30 with a Little League/ tractor parade down Main Street. There were 22 vendors at the market and lots of shoppers, too.
At this Saturday’s opening ceremony, members of the Farmers Market steering committee and members of the Get Healthy De Soto Board of Directors will be introduced, and Catherine Bohnert with the Missouri Department of Agriculture will speak.
The University of Missouri Extension will provide demonstrations and an information booth. Local 4-H clubs have organized a Kid’s Corner with activities including toy tractors and corn crops.
The band Voodoo Planet will perform from 9-11 a.m.
Campbell said the market will introduce two projects at the grand opening.
“We will have Matching SNAP (food stamp program) for the month of May,” she said. “Individuals who spend $10 on their EBT (food stamp) cards will get another $10 to spend at the market on approved food items.”
In addition, the market will launch a new POP (Power of Produce) children’s project that will run through the whole season.
On the first Saturday of each month, children from ages 4 to 12 can get a small blue bag that holds $2 in Farmers Market vouchers. Children may spend their $2 on fruits or veggies at the market.
Arnold
The city of Arnold, which is opening its fifth season of the Arnold Farmers Market on Saturday, held it at the front of Arnold City Park on Bradley Beach Road, off Jeffco Boulevard near the Meramec River
It is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon through Oct 15.
At the market, vendors sell a variety of local produce, honey, eggs, meats, and other products, as well as home-baked goods and homemade items, like soap, candles and crafts.
Entertainment and activities are often included and many days there are themes, like Derby Days this Saturday.
For information about renting vendor space, contact recreation supervisor Teresa Kohut at 636-282-6686.
Hillsboro
The Hillsboro Farmers Market will be open from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning May 11 and into the fall.
It is held at Comtrea’s Bridle Ridge Acres facility, 10533 Business 21.
At the market, vendors sell locally grown produce, honey, meats, eggs, baked goods and hand-made crafts.
Cedar Hill
The Cedar Hill Farmers Market will get underway May 13. It is held on the Energy Solutions of St. Louis parking lot, at 8203 Center Drive.
The market is in its second year at the Cedar Hill location and will be open from 3 until 7 p.m. every Friday.
“It’s convenient,” market master Debbie Carbone said. “They can stop on their way home from work and support their local farmers.”
Although produce will come in season, the market will start with some old favorites, like wood crafts, honey, and lotions and soaps.
New vendors are welcome.
“We’re always looking for vendors. There’s plenty of space available,” Carbone said.
To reserve your space or for more information, call Carbone at 636-274-5009.