Highland Farmers’ Market Set to Open

The Highland Farmers’ Market will begin its 18^th year of operation on Friday, May 29^th, at its location at the Pavilion in front of The Highland Center. Market manager Scott Smith spoke about the upcoming season.

“This will be my eighth full season of overseeing the Market, and I’m excited to get it underway once again. For all the regular customers, I’m happy to report that this year will feature more of the same – and by that, I mean all the good local produce, baked goods, meat products and more that you’re used to having available.  We’ll feature live entertainment, educational demonstrations, and activities for kids. And, as we have in the past, we’ll have a special theme for each day.”

“I’m so lucky to work with such a great group of vendors,” he continued.  “I know how fortunate I am to have these producers and products affiliated with our market – it makes my job so much easier, and it’s because of them that we’ve grown by leaps and bounds.”

Smith reiterated that the Market times and locations will be the same as in the past.

“We’ll be open every Friday, from 3:30 – 6:00, through the end of September. And we will still be at the Pavilion. The Center itself is undergoing renovation, but we coordinated with the contractor to make sure there was room to hold the Market there all summer long.”

Smith also wanted to remind customers that the Market accepts SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps).

“We’ve offered this capability for using this service for four years now, and while the program has grown every year, I’d love to see more people using it. It’s a way to use those benefits to get fresh, local food for your family.”

In addition to SNAP, the Market also accepts debit and credit cards.

Smith recommended visiting the Market’s page on The Highland Center’s website for more information (http://thehighlandcenter.org/farmers-market/ ), and to sign up for the e-mail newsletter while there, which goes out every week with updates on vendors, products, special activities and more.

“Everybody knows spring is here when the peep frogs start chirping – everybody knows summer is here when the Highland Farmers’ Market opens.”

For more information, call 540-468-1922 or e-mail farmersmarket@htcnet.org.