Whitley County Farmers Market gears up for summer season, expanded opportunities for vendors
(Talk of the Town file photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) The farmers market, above, is a popular place on Saturday's in Whitley County. This year, the newly-renamed Whitley County Farmers Market may not only offer fresh produce and more on Saturday mornings in Columbia City -- but on Friday nights in South Whitley as well.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
The name will be changing, but the assortment of great, locally grown produce available at your local farmer's market will not.
Formerly known as the Columbia City Farmers Market, the name has changed to the Whitley County Farmers Market -- a move that identifies the considerable growth and expansion of the organization in the past several years.
"The decision was really made at our December meeting," Lilly said. "We really are no longer just Columbia City-oriented... we're countywide."
"I would say, too, that the largest contributing factor has been our relationship with the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce," Lilly added. That organization, too, became countywide in 2010, embracing a broader focus of commerce in the community. The Whitley County Farmers Market falls under the guidance of the Whitley County Chamber of Commerce, a relationship that has grown considerably since last summer.
"The idea is to purvey to the community that we're not just Columbia City farmers and growers, but Whitley County's growers and farmers," added Lilly.
Last summer, under the leadership of Market Master Chris Lilly, the market expanded down Chauncey Street, around the corner onto Market Street, filling all available booth space. Next spring, Lilly expects to need to further expand the market space.
Additionally, Lilly recently announced talks with South Whitley business owners about the possibility of launching a Whitley County Farmers Market in South Whitley on Friday evenings this summer.
The next Whitley County Farmers Market meeting is March 1, 2011, at 7 p.m. at the Smith & Sons Coach House on North Main Street. The meeting is open to anyone interested in participating as a vendor in the 2011 Whitley County Farmers Market.