Volunteers get fields ready for Homewood Baseball opener

Organizers prepare for summer market season in new location

Homewood Farmers Market Manager Kate Duff has long wanted to include a meat vendor at the market in response to patron requests.

At the final Indoor Farmers Market on Saturday, she will get her wish.
 

In a Facebook post on Monday, Duff announced that Mint Creek Farm would be offering organic meats and eggs during the market from 9 a.m. to noon at the Marie Irwin Community Center, 18120 Highland Ave. in Homewood.

Duff said she was excited by the addition to a growing list of market vendors.

“They’re trying out Homewood with an eye to joining us full time in 2017,” she said.

The turnout at this second season of the indoor market has pleased Duff, who said 600 or more patrons have come by for January, February and March markets. The number is more than double the best 2015 indoor market day. 

The number of vendors has steadily increased, too. For the January session, all vendors, including community organizations, were in the Irwin Center hall. In February, the hall was full, so community groups moved to the lobby. And on Saturday, weather permitting, Duff said there might be several vendors located outside on the stage area, too.

Regular vendors expected to return include Zeldenrust Farm Market and Greenhouse, Bloomberg Gardens, Tiddleywink Toffee, Bakewell Bakery, Hypnotize Pies and more, according to a news release from the village. Home decor items will be available from Urban Threads and Old Things Gone Wild, among others. 

In addition to the produce and home decor items offered for sale, community groups will be on hand to provide information about their work. The market also includes live music by local artists.

New home for summer season
As the indoor market season comes to a close, Duff and village officials are preparing for a summer season in a new location. The market will move from the Homewood Village Hall parking lot, where it has been located for a number of years, to Martin Square.
 

The summer season will launch on Saturday, May 28, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Opening day festivities will include live entertainment by Jeff Maharry with members from Work In Progress. There will be face painting and balloon art for kids as well as complementary Homewood Farmers Market reusable shopping bags for patrons.

“We enjoyed a very successful monthly indoor farmers market over the winter,” said Duff. “But I know everyone is ready to head outside now that the weather is finally beginning to brighten up.We are excited to be in our new location of Martin Square.”

The square is part of a streetscape constructed last year by the village. It includes a brick plaza in the half  block of Martin Avenue just north of Ridge Road. Vendors will be set up on Martin Avenue from Ridge Road to Chestnut Road. 

Free parking will be available in the village hall parking lot at 2020 Chestnut Road.

This year’s farmers market will feature expanded activities for families, a wide assortment of regional farmers, non-profit organization booths and live music. 

Vendors will include Bakewell Bakery, Bloomberg Gardens, Cynthia’s Gumbo Express, The Cottage on Dixie, La Voute, Homewood Kitchen Gardens,  Hypnotize Pies, Lyons Fruit Farm, Meliora K Cleaning Products, Pampered Chef, Pretzel Bizzare, Stamper Cheese Company, Sonoma Farm, TJ’s Kettle Corn and Zeldenrust Farm Market.

The last Saturday of the month will feature the popular Hunt & Gather Market where attendees can shop for unique vintage finds, antique and retro home goods, hand-crafted artisan candles, soaps and jewelry and more. Vendors will include Day Dreamer Jewelry, Two Homemade Addicts and Urban Threads.

The market runs every Saturday until Oct. 8 and is free and open to the public. 

For more information on the Homewood Farmers Market, visit homesweethomewood.com or call 708-798-3000.