Farmers market season set to end on high note

Another season is drawing to a close for area farmers markets, and vendors and organizers say it's been a good one.

A mild summer, combined with a burgeoning interest in buying locally grown foods and homemade products in an open-air setting, have meant success for Cape Girardeau's newest market and the oldest one still operating, despite its shift in location.

"We've definitely had an increase this year at the market," said Ross Peterson, who manages the Cape Riverfront Market. "We've had more vendors and customers attending."

This is the third year of operation -- and growth in popularity -- for the downtown market, which is held each Saturday morning from May through the end of October at 35 S. Spanish St. The market offers fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, baked and prepared foods and crafts from vendors who live within a 100 miles and produce their own goods.

Summer Saturdays were especially busy, Peterson said, with an estimated 800 to 1,000 people shopping during the market's hours from 8 a.m. to noon.

Cooler-than-average temperatures increased vendors' production abilities.

"That's really been increasing yields for everybody," Peterson said. "When you have lots of vegetables, and lots of variety, people begin to rely on you."

The first year the market was in business, 2012, the region suffered through a severe drought, which limited some produce offerings.

Vendors at the Cape Girardeau Farmers Market, which moved this spring after 27 years in a parking lot on Independence Street, also are reporting a good year.

"It's been a really great year. If we don't have a frost for the next 10 days, we'll have homegrown produce clear into November," said Jeanne Brumleve, who brings sweet corn, tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables to sell from her farm in Cobden, Illinois.

The 20 or so vendors who regularly set up at the market have embraced the move to a parking lot off South Mount Auburn Road behind West Park Mall, where operating hours are from noon to 5 p.m. Thursdays from April to November. This year, the market's last day of the season is Nov. 20.

"We've lost some of our regular customers, but we've been blessed with new faces because of the spot we have now," Brumleve said. "I think Doctors' Park and Saint Francis being nearby has increased the traffic flow."

The market had to find a new spot after the former location was selected for development of a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market.

"We are doing good here," Brumleve said. "There is ample parking, and cooler temperatures have probably helped bring people out."

Jackson also has a farmers market. Its season ended for the year Sept. 30.

Throughout Missouri, farmers markets have grown 78 percent since 2008, according to a recent survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The rise brought the state into the top 10 in the country with the most farmers markets. The number of markets in Missouri in 2013 was 245.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3632

Pertinent address:

35 S. Spanish St., Cape Girardeau, MO

West Park Mall, Cape Girardeau, MO