Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 115, No. 22	May 28, 2008

Buy local buy fresh at Meade County Farmers’ Market

By SANDRA STONE
Messenger Staff

The fresher the food, the better it is for you and the better it tastes – a winning proposition all the way around. One of the best ways to procure fresh food is directly from local producers, and local farmers’ markets are a convenient way to do just that.

The Meade County Farmers’ Market reopened for the season May 24 with three vendors – Pike’s Family Farm, Birdsfoot Farm and Fallen Maple Farms. A fourth – Misty Meadows Farm – will join them June 7.

Beginning the season, the market will offer early produce such as lettuce, radishes, onions and some berries. Offerings will change weekly as the temperature rises and things begin to grow.

Saturday hours are 8 a.m. to noon, and Tuesday hours, 1-4:30 p.m., beginning June 10, according to market manager Mary Frances Pike.

There will be some overlap in the offerings of the vendors, but they all have their specialties, and it’s always worth a browse through each one to get just what you want.

Pike’s Family Farm, operated by Edd and Mary Frances Pike, two of their sons and Edd’s brother, will offer seasonal vegetables, corn, melons, herbs, strawberries and raspberries, along with baked goods and jellies.

Ralph and Kathy Packard operate Misty Meadows Farm where everything is grown naturally. They will offer seasonal vegetables, melons and peaches. Pork, beef and free-range chicken and eggs are available year-round. For more information, log onto www.packardsmmfarm.com.

Fallen Maple Farms, operated by sisters Hannah and Katie Thomas, will be back for another year as well, offering a variety of vegetables and berries, baked goods, jams, jellies and honey and eggs. They also offer a little something for the eyes to feast upon – beautiful cut flowers.

Birdsfoot Farm, operated by Amy Serafin, is new to the market this year. This is a new venture for Serafin, and she said she hopes the community will support it. Birdsfoot Farm also grows naturally, following organic farming methods. They will have for sale heirloom tomato and pepper plants, herbs, both potted and cut, and seasonal vegetables, as well as breads, pies and other baked goods. Honey and eggs will be available in the fall. For more information, log onto www.birdsfootfarm.com.

Other vendors are welcome to join the Meade County Farmers’ Market. If interested, contact Mary Frances Pike at (270) 496-4268.

The Meade County Farmers’ Market is currently located in the parking lot at Glad Tidings Christian Center on the Bypass. With Bypass construction ongoing, the location may prove to be a hindrance to the success of the market, and it may move to the parking lot of the Meade County Extension office on Old Ekron Road. A notice will be placed in the Messenger if that change does occur.

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