Farmers' Market winds down for season

Photo by PAULA EVANS

GREENCASTLE -- After Halloween, townsfolk won't be able to "Meet at the Market" until next spring. The downtown Farmers' Market will conclude its season on Oct. 31.

"The reinvigorated farmers' market is not only a source of great local food and goods, but also an important means of strengthening community and our downtown. My thanks go to all participants who made this outcome possible, including organizers, shoppers, vendors and musicians. I look forward to watching the market continue to grow, as it surely will," said Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray.

The market now features lamb, pork, squash, pumpkins, baked items, fresh salsa, hand-knitted woolen hats and mittens, soaps and lotion and much more. Over the course of the season, shoppers have been able to buy fresh green beans, beets, tomatoes, corn and radishes.

Baked goods, organic grown meats, preserves and all types of craft items have been available at the market since it opened in the early spring.

Keeping with its tradition of live music, the Oct. 31 Downtown Farmers' Market will feature a 10 a.m. concert by DePauwcappella, the DePauw University student a cappella group led by Anajah Roberts.

Photo by JARED JERNAGAN

The market continued to grow all summer and was fed by an increasing number of visitors, including a stray cow that got loose on the courthouse lawn early in the season.

Coordinated by the Friends of the Farmers' Market chaired by Cathryn Ensley, the expanded downtown Farmers' Market was an outcome of The Sustainable Greencastle Report created by more than 100 local citizens in March, 2009.

"It was exciting to see our community come together over local food this year. We look forward to a successful close to the 2009 season, and then building on our momentum in 2010. A big thank you goes to our community partners for their support," said Ensley.

Photo by PAULA EVANS

The City of Greencastle, the Putnam County Community Foundation, Greencastle Civic League, and Fincastle's No Sail Splash Guard are among the organizations that supported the farmers' market this year.

"The farmers' market provides an opportunity to support our local farmers, merchants and entertainers in a fun, social setting along the historic downtown square. The locally-grown produce and baked goods are delicious, and it is truly enjoyable to get to know the people who work so hard to provide these for our community," said market shopper Darcy McCoy.

The Oct. 31 market is open from 8 a.m. to noon on the north side of the downtown square. All items are locally grown, sewn or made. For more information, please contact sustainablegreencastle@gmail.com or 720-0673.