After giving a farmers market a trial run in Eudora, vendors and city officials agree it went well and is something the community deserves.
The city decided to start markets in September to see how using the Village Green space worked out before expanding it next season.
Parks and Rec Assistant Director Jimmy Kegin was in charge of the planning leading up to the market’s start and its day-of operations.
His biggest initial concern was turnout, but Kegin said he was pleasantly surprised by the community support they received.
“I’m ecstatic with the way it turned out,” he said. “I don’t think they expected much, and I think we really over delivered.”
He was also worried about getting vendors this late in the season, but that proved not to be a problem either.
The number of vendors reached 11 for the second market, and the third would’ve been 11 also if one of the vendors didn’t sell out the prior week, he said.
Mary Corpstein of 3C’s is an advocate for providing people exposure to local farmers. She’s proud of the crowd the markets drew. Corpstein lives in Eudora and focuses her business on not only providing produce but also recipes to go with the items she sells. She also plans on having sweet breads and some of her recycled crafts for sale.
Corpstein isn’t new to participating in farmers markets. She used to work on a farm with her father in Fort Scott and took items to their local market.
Since she moved to Eudora, she hasn’t known what to do with herself, she said. This market has given her a new hobby, she said.
“I want to say I cannot think of anything negative about it. The location is wonderful. There’s ample parking for customers. You’ve got the green space where they set up games and things,” she said.
She said those things help draw young people and families. If Parks and Rec continues to add those fun aspects, she sees no reason why it won’t continue to succeed, she said. She said the number of vendors also increased over the three markets, showing just how interested people are in bringing their items to Eudora.
She’s also happy to see the market is focused on produce and food items. She’s also glad the market was taken on by the city, saving vendors time and work to prepare it.
Turnout of customers was also good, she said, especially for that first market as people were curious about what the event would be like.
She’s looking forward to the continued growth of customers and vendors. It’s also important for people to see their farmers, and eat healthy locally grown foods, she said.
Cari Werner and her husband David Goetsch of Hawk N’ Cat Farm own a 20-acre farm outside of Eudora. They have bees, chickens, turkeys and produce.
They’ve been taking their items to the Cottin’s Hardware farmers market in Lawrence and were excited to see Eudora was starting a market as well. She said the support she’s seen from the residents and shoppers at the market has been positive.
“I thought the response was amazing, especially for a September start,” she said.
She said it was a supportive atmosphere where they got to meet other farmers in an uncompetitive setting.
Having things for kids like face painting and balloon animals also made it a well-rounded event, Werner said. It gives them a look into the importance of healthy, local food, she said.
“I think they’ll appreciate farm-to-table kind of food and you can’t go wrong with that – getting better nutrition in them,” she said.
Scott Thompson of McLouth runs a family farm with all kinds of produce, including green beans, squash, tomatoes and jalapenos.
Thompson’s been selling at the Tonganoxie market every Thursday and in McLouth for about four years.
He only attended the city’s last market this past week, and even though part of the night was rained out, he has a good feeling about the Eudora market, he said.
After talking to other vendors, he said traffic was good at all the markets.
He said he thinks every small town should have a farmers market.
“We need to take care of our hometown people,” he said.
A farmers market also supplements a need for more grocery stores, he said.
Myers Family Farm and Garden sold eggs, chicken, beef, tallow and tallow skincare products at all three of the markets.
Owner Debby Myers of Tonganoxie said Eudora is worthy of its own market.
“I was so excited to see Eudora start up a farmers market,” she said.
Myers regularly attends the Tonganoxie market and said she and some of her friends were all excited to be invited as vendors in Eudora.
“It was everything we thought it would be and more. It was great,” she said.
She said there was a lot of interest in the products and everyone seemed to be having a good time. She saw a lot of customers who are usually at the Tonganoxie market, she said.
Myers sees Eudora’s market as a sustainable project, especially if the community decides it is something they want. She recommends the city bring in a new food truck each week, as well.
Vendors have told Kegin they’re looking forward to next season and wondered if the market would continue to be on Tuesdays. Kegin confirmed the market will stay on Tuesdays because there are no other markets on this day around the area. It’s expected to start up again around mid-April, he said.
He’s looking forward to having more time to plan for next year.
“Now that we’ve done it, I know what we’re getting into and just ways to improve it,” he said.
He hopes to expand to around 15-18 vendors next season, as well as add needed facilities like bathrooms, benches and trash cans. He hopes to bring acoustic musicians to the space as well, and possibly some food trucks.
“Now that we’ve done it, you know, I see the success – how can I make it bigger? But I also don’t want to overdo it,” he said.
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David Goetsch and Cari Werner sell meat, eggs and honey.
