By: Miss Moth Danner—
Muncie, IN—National Farmers Market Week is August 7-13, 2016. In celebration, the Muncie Makers Market is joining the Old West End Neighborhood Association (OWENA) for a day of fun on Saturday, August 13th. From 8am-1pm, the OWENA will bring their annual Rummage Bazaar to Downtown Muncie, with antiques, rummage of all sorts, and hot food aplenty. Also starting at 8am, and running all day to 7pm, visitors with have the opportunity to stock up on fresh food, locally and organically grown produce, plants, art, handmade crafts, and live entertainment at the Muncie Makers Market. Both events will run together in the lot on the corner of Jackson and Cherry Streets in the Old West End of Downtown Muncie. The Muncie Makers Market is held weekly, on Saturdays, usually from 4pm-7pm, and we are also a PokéStop just FULL of lures!
Farmers markets are more than just an outlet for fresh produce and friendly farmers. According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics, these grassroots venues have increased in number by over 60% since 2009 to more than 8,500 today. These markets preserve farmland, stimulate local economies, increase access to fresh nutritious food, improve community health, and promote sustainability. For example, growers selling locally create thirteen full time farm operator jobs per $1 million in revenue earned while those that do not sell locally only create three. Indiana is home to 183 farmers markets.
The Muncie Makers Market began in 2016, and currently has around 25 local Growers and talented Makers selling weekly. A dozen local farmers sell a wide variety of products, including Hoosier sweet corn, eggs, tomatoes, squash, green beans, watermelons, potatoes, eggplants, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, zucchini, pies, breads, muffins, cookies, jellies, jams, herbs of all variety, perennials, succulents, and flowers. The Muncie Makers Market also features handmade soaps, beaded jewelry, art, purses, sculpture, walking sticks, hot/cold therapy bags, ceramics, prints, greeting cards, panters, horseshoe art, wire-wrap rings, yard games, baby booties, stuffed animals, coloring books, toys, tie-dye tee shirts, leather goods, dreamcatchers, swimsuits, candles, and more. We round out the Muncie Makers Market experience with live entertainment like tarot card readings, music, temporary henna tattoos, and face painting. In this first season alone, the Muncie Makers Market has already generated thousands of dollars for these local producers, a valuable economic boost for the region.
“My goal as Market Master is to help local Growers focus on alleviating urban food deserts, and to bring affordable arts and crafts from unique local Makers to Downtown Muncie. By doing so on a weekly basis, we foster economic growth and an engaged community of neighbors and visitors to the Old West End. Markets like this brighten the mood of the whole city!” – Miss Moth
The Growers and Makers of the Muncie Makers Market work together to donate fresh produce weekly to the Harvest Soup Kitchen. In the 2017 season, the Muncie Makers Market hopes to accept SNAP/EBT, WIC, and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
“Farmers markets play a vital role in forming healthy, local food systems,” says Jen Cheek, Executive Director of the Farmers Market Coalition. “By providing the opportunity for farmers to connect directly with consumers, markets serve as education centers. Vendors are teaching customers about agriculture, sharing recipes, and exposing them to new foods. Markets are making people and communities stronger and healthier.“
Join the Muncie Makers Market on Facebook for vendor information, food education, and fun fellowship with a healthy and active community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627047027524961/
