RELATED STORIES

MONEY»

Shopping at Columbia Farmers' Market is a weekly trip for many

Valerie Mosley/STAFF

The Columbia Farmer's Market is held behind the Activity & Recreation Center at W. Ash Street and Clinkscales Road on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon and on Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. Despite the recent economic downturn, the market has seen an increase in business this season.

By ZACC LAWTON
Missouri Virtual Instructional Program

COLUMIBA — Paula Burkhart of Brunswick, Mo., has been selling a variety of produce — blackberries, raspberries, corn, potatoes and squash — at the Columbia Farmers' Market for four years.

Sales are better than last year, Burkhart said.

"People in Columbia know quality and they're not afraid to pay for it," she said.

To meet the growing demand for organic and homegrown food, Burkhart said she has doubled the size of her garden, increased production and branched out to work with other family members.

Carol Stepney has been shopping at the farmers market for 20 years, buying mostly fruits and vegetables.

"I was raised to eat things that were natural and organic," Stepney said.

Although it's sometimes more expensive for her to support local farmers this way, she said it's worth every dime.

Burkhart and Stepney represent the increasing number of buyers and sellers at the nation's farmers markets. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the number of farmers markets in the United States jumped from 1,755 in 1994 to 4,685 in 2008.

The growth reflects an increased interest in healthier foods and a greater desire to preserve local produce and livestock, area officials say. In an economic downturn, farmers markets remain one of the best sources for fresh, local and seasonal food at competitive prices, they say.

It is also a place where start-up businesses can set up with minimal expenses and bring their products or services to the public.

Farmers market advocates say they think they help farmers stay in business and conserve the country's agricultural resources. Farmers who sell directly to the public get better prices.

The movement originally started on the East and West coasts in the 1930s. In 1980, a small group of farmers who had been selling produce from their pickups at gas stations organized Columbia Farmers' Market.

The market has an established site behind the Activity and Recreation Center at the corner of Clinkscales Road and Ash Street.

Farmers market Manager Caroline Todd said that in the past four seasons, she has seen a 10 percent to 20 percent increase in the number of sellers and customers. Almost 70 farmers and artisans work as market vendors Monday and Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

On a typical Saturday at the market, Todd said it isn't out of the ordinary for at least 4,000 people to visit.

"Local food is becoming a movement and a growing trend," Todd said.

The movement is working in favor of Jamestown, Mo., resident Mary Brauth of Missouri Highland Farms. She has been a produce vendor at the market since 1987, and she said word of mouth has been beneficial to her customer base.

"The population is increasing, and interest in locally grown products has accelerated," Brauth said.

Cyrille Goldstein said he has shopped at the farmers market since he was young. He said shopping at the market makes a difference in his health.

Darci Humphrey of Millersburg said she has seen a reduction in her family's purchases as they choose healthier foods.

Humphrey cans some of the food she purchases and says she eats the rest that week. She reflects another trend — more people are gardening, canning and preserving food to make it last longer.

Corby Roberts, owner of Blade Running Sharpening, has been at the farmers market for two weeks but said he has seen an increase in sales.

He quit his job in November and bought a truck and sharpening equipment. Roberts said he has been sharpening tools and knives since December and has established a healthy following.

"The business is paying for itself," he said.