Columbia Farmers’ Market – A Winning Farmers’ Market

Farmers’ markets have dotted the Missouri countryside for decades and the Columbia Farmers’ Market has planted its roots deep in the hearts of Columbia area consumers and farmers.

Their dedication to a producer-based concept, and their efforts to make the farmers’ market THE Columbia community place to be, especially on Saturday mornings, is why the Columbia Farmers’ Market was awarded the 2004 Farmers’ Market of the Year Award by AgriMissouri™ and the Missouri Farmers’ Market Association.

The market features products from every food group, allowing consumers to do much of their shopping locally. The market prides itself on featuring local farmers, which is why only farmers from within a 54 mile radius of Columbia, are allowed to become members of the market. Value-added products like blueberry syrup and raspberry jelly, made from berries picked at a local farm, processed beef from a local beef co-op, fresh lamb from two Missouri farms, and not to mention honey, eggs, fresh cut flowers and bedding plants are offered weekly.

Of course you will find fresh fruits and vegetables at the Columbia Farmers’ Market like mouth-watering apples and strawberries, tasty sweet corn, red ripe tomatoes, summer squash and other staples we remember Grandpa growing. The beauty of the Columbia Farmers’ Market is that they have nurtured and educated farmers to grow and sell a larger variety of products to the consumers. Some of these newer locally grown items are Spanish onions, Saturn peaches, Japanese turnips, Swiss chard, arugula and heirloom tomatoes.

The market spreads its roots beyond the parking lot, located on the Corner of Clinkscales and Ash. It goes out into the field of a local farmer who donated a field for the growing season to local Boy Scouts so they could learn about planting and harvesting. The Boy Scouts, dressed in uniform, brought the corn to Market to sell. That’s entrepreneurship at its best.

Perhaps the one thing that makes Columbia Farmers’ Market the best of the best is their attention to the community that hosts them. With the attitude of “healthy food, healthy community, healthy economy,” they are striving to make the trip to the farmers’ market a great experience for consumers of all ages, races, ethnic groups and income levels.

Local artisans, musicians, dancers and clowns provide free entertainment almost weekly, allowing moms and dads an opportunity to make the trip to the farmers’ market one that is fun and educational. Promoting the efforts of local not-for-profits has been a focus of the Market, too. Groups like the Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center, Central Humane Society, Columbia Second Chance, Master Gardeners and the Columbia Montessori School are just an appetizer of some of the local not-for-profits that educate the Columbia community about their services and provide entertainment at the Market.

If you are looking for great food, great entertainment and a great place to meet people, check out the Columbia Farmers’ Market. Visit http://farmersmarket.missouri.org/ for more information or call 573-449-GROW.