First Farmer's Market of 2009!

This morning I picked up my co-worker, and on the way to work took her to the Farmer's Market Downtown.  It was wonderful!  This year, a mini-farmer's market is beginning early, then to be follwed by the regular farmer's market.  This year, there are already new vendors!

Clover Creek Cheese Cellar, LLC--Great flavor from our grass-based farm direct to you!  Made from the raw milk of the Cows at Ojala Farm 

Sadly, I lost the card of the friendly people who were selling goat products (lotions, soaps, chapstick, etc), however, next week they will also be selling meats, goat, lamb, and (I want to say veal...?)  I will check with them again next week for a more full update.  I think I was in a hurry when I got my delicious cinnamon roll off to my car and out to work that I must have dropped it. But, someone else may be able to find them now, right?  Maybe those guys who are on strike that were near my building (no I did NOT cross the picket line, it was a different building).

Farmers Outlet Growing by Mike Faher
This article is about the Farmers Market this year, which started today.  (also listed below if removed from website.)

To market, to market
Johnstown's "mini" farmers market:
**Begins Friday (today) in Central Park.
**Runs every Friday through June 12 from 9am to 2 pm (NOTE: there is a discrepency in time within this article as to if it starts at 8 or 9am, but when I arrived at 9, vendors were already selling!)
**Five Vendors
Johnstown's regular Farmer's Market:
**Begins June 19 in Central Park
**Runs every Friday through Oct. 30 from 9am to 2pm
**10 vendors

Though the official start of summer is more than a month away, Johnstown's farmers market season will begin Friday.
     Officials have organized a series of "mini markets" in Central Park, starting at 8am every Friday through June 12.  That concept was introduced last year.  
     "It went really well (in 2008)," said Renee Daly, city economic development specialist.  "I think because we have the flower vendors, and this is the time most people are planting flowers."
     In addition to two flower vendors, the mini markets will feature booths selling fresh-baked goods, cheese and a new vendor peddling lotions, soaps, eggs and goat's meat.
     When the official market kicks off of June 19, those five vendors will be joined by five others selling honey and beeswax, fresh-cut flowers and fresh produce.  The market is sponsored by 1st Summit Bank.
     The 10 vendors--all set up along Gazebo Place and Main Street--will be the most the farmers market ever has hosted Daly said.
     "If we get any larger, we're just going to have to look at extending inside the park or looking for another location," she said.
     The city plans entertainmnet at the park's gazebo during several markets starting in June.
     And officials plan a new addition: Chef demonstrations that likely will begin in July.  Final details are not set.
     The idea, Daly said, is to have chefs purchase goods from the farmers market and then prepare dishes at the gazebo.
     "it's promoting not only the chefs but also the vendors," Daly said.