Local Farmers Markets Provide More Than Just Healthy Food

Food isn’t the only thing that local farmers markets have to offer.

From soup to steak, crafts, music, and positive energy, there are a variety of things to see and buy between the Charles Town and Shepherdstown farmers markets.

Todd Coyle, who was standing at the information booth at the Charles Town farmers market, plans events for the city of Charles Town.

Coyle said that the Charles Town farmers market is in its third year as an organized event with a formal committee, but that a market has been taking place in the city for nine years in different locations.

“With Ebola and other things like that happening, you’ve got to keep it local,” Coyle said looking around at the fresh and locally grown produce in neighboring tents.

The wind carried more than 40 people’s voices as they walked, talked, and bought. A musician played an acoustic guitar in a nearby tent. Over the bustle, Coyle, a musician of 35 years, said, “Historically speaking farmers markets are a gathering point for communities. People come to get local news and information, to get a taste of local music, and to pick up great local produce. You know—musicians, farmers, and artists—they all have the same personalities and goals. A farmers market represents that kind of connection and design.”

Coyle added, “It is important to keep farmers markets going. We’re going to walk away from this someday, but we have to make sure that the operation falls into good hands.”

The Charles Town farmers market is open April through October, Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., on 100 S Samuel St.

At the Shepherdstown farmers market, Bill Grantham and his wife were standing at the first tent behind the library, greeting people as they walked into the market.

Bill Grantham is one of the founders of the Shepherdstown farmers market. Paul Eliot and Lee Griner also helped to get the operation started 25 years ago.

The success of the market was visible on Sunday morning when tents lined the alley and people filled the kaleidoscope street of purple jams and pink flowers.

Grantham was standing behind a table full of red tomatoes, green zucchinis, and yellow squash that were picked that morning. He said that he is a seventh generation farmer at Tudor Hall Farm established in 1763 and that he vends at two other markets in addition to the one in Shepherdstown.

He added that this farmers market is in its original spot and that it was not easy to get started.

His wife, Philis, said, “It’s a lot of work. It took us seven tries with the town council to let us give it a try.”

Grantham added, “Here you get good food at a decent price, and people support each other and support local farms, which are important.”

The Shepherdstown farmers market is open year round on Sunday mornings, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., on S King St.

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