Jackson farmers market will begin selling produce in June

Jackson residents will soon be able to go buy fresh, homegrown produce and handmade items at a farmers market opening in June.

The market will be in the center of town. Barton Street will be closed to traffic to offer a place for vendors to sell their produce and handmade items. Vendors will be there from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. two Tuesdays a month from June through August, Sept. 16 and Oct. 21.

The idea came about at a brainstorming session of the Community Outreach Board. Mayor Barbara Lohr said, "I'm really thrilled they came up with the idea and even more pleased they're doing the work to get it going."

The Community Outreach Board comes up with ideas on how to improve Jackson, makes selections and then tackles them. Community Outreach Board chairwoman Michelle Doughten said repeated feedback on the idea resulted in serious pursuit and that vendors are currently being sought.

"We've advertised on the Jackson Web site" (www.jacksonmo.org/newsdetail.aspx?NewsID=315) and "dropped off information with Cape Farmer's Market and relied on word of mouth," Doughten said.

Jackson resident Debby Lohman said, "I think people are looking forward to it."