Farmers' market to open

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Putnam County residents will soon find a fresh food alternative and a great way to support the local economy. The downtown farmers' market will open May 30 through a new partnership between Main Street Greencastle and the Greencastle Sustainability Committee.

Located on Franklin Street in the downtown square, the market features locally grown, sewn and made produce and products every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

"With the average American meal now traveling 1,500 miles to our dinner plates, the farmers' market is a win-win means of getting high-quality, fresh food and supporting the farmers and producers of our own local economy," said Steve Setchell, who chaired the Greencastle Sustainability Committee.

Although fresh produce is the feature, the market will also offer local art, crafts and music to reflect the cultural assets of Putnam County and the surrounding region.

"We have rich and distinctive cultural and quality of life attractions in our community. We look forward to celebrating those and supporting our farmers at the same time," said Cathryn Ensley, who chaired the sustainability committee's local food and markets work group.

In addition to showcasing the work of local artisans, the market will offer live musical performances featuring our own community's talent.

With the support of the Putnam County Community Foundation and the Greencastle Civic League, a "Meet at the Market" campaign is underway to promote the downtown farmers market as the place where residents can find fresh food, support our local economy, and enjoy cultural offerings amid Putnam County's historic downtown square.

Efforts to expand the downtown farmers market and the Meet at the Market campaign are outcomes of the Greencastle Sustainability Committee. Hosted by Mayor Sue Murray as a follow-up to the city's Community Forward Summit, more than 100 local citizens contributed to the committee's "Sustainable Greencastle Report: Environmental Solutions to Strengthen Our Community, Economy, Culture, and Quality of Life." The report is available at www.cityofgreencastle.com

For more information, contact Steve Setchell at greenergreencastle@gmail.com or 720-0673 or Cathryn Ensley ccensley@hotmail.com or 653-1737.

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Will farmers and others be able to bring fresh made products to the farmers market? I heard the Health Dept. won't allow it unless you have an outside (deicated) kitchen.

-- Posted by secondthought on Tue, May 26, 2009, at 7:33 AM
You have to fill out forms stating where you are growing, what you are growing and how your growing. Here in Bloomington its pretty easy.

You guys are set up the same way.

The benefits out way the process.

If you are selling food (cooked or prepared) you will have additional info required. Which makes since considering bacterias, food born illness etc. But really "produce" is what a farmers market is about. If people want to sell pies or cookies, then yes I want to know where and how clean your kitchen is.

Take care and.............

Pea's

-- Posted by Dodgers Gone on Tue, May 26, 2009, at 1:57 PM

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