10 July 2010 Saturday Farmer’s Market

It is official! I have my own vendor booth at the Saturday market. It took me a month to work up to the “big time” from only doing Wednesday market. I offered fruit cups, watermelon smoothies, signature Chocolate of the Gods dessert, coconut shortbread cookies and kombucha. For this Saturday, I added a classic raw food made from soaked macadamia and pine nuts, water, and a dash of sea salt, then processed into a soft “cheese.” It is used as a sandwich spread, topping for pasta and pizza, or anywhere you would use dairy cheese. We must have a large undercover raw food contingent in this town, judging by the number of people who stopped to inquire, purchase, and offer ideas.  Stacia suggested offering a triple salad plate for customers who wanted lunch.

One lady stopped by to inquire if I was a member of the Buy Fresh Buy Local Organization. She was surveying to find out if members thought the organization was doing anything to benefit them or not. Then the Market Master stopped by to collect the vendor fee.

I was set up between Christine Goodale’s Crepes and Michael’s kettle korn. It is always interesting to note the loyal customers seeking out their favorite vendors. Kay and Bob Ferguson stopped by, and Kay sat down to rest at my booth while Bob did the shopping. Folks would come by just to visit with her awhile. She has contributed so much to this town.

It really was a great sunshiny market day, with a steady flow of patrons and great mix of vendors. Everett Berg was there with his annual crop of blueberries. What luscious blues! This is their peak, so don’t let them pass.

July 7

It’s raining! But it is a gentle stop and start rain. So here we are, 8 of us vendors, getting set up and ready for the 3 PM start. The first hour of market was rain free, so the early birds came to get the shopping done before the rain started again. Ernie Hinkle was there braving the damp. When it began to rain really hard, Claude Nicholson helped him load his stuff in the back of his truck, all the while trying not to step in the torrent of drain water at the street curb. Ernie dropped his cash box in the water and dollar bills started floating down the stream. They soon had it all rounded up and safely back in the cash box. Ernie retired to his truck to wait it out.

It was a very good day, market wise. The most impressive thing was the stalwart customers who were intent on getting their marketing done. We love dedicated buyers! Everyone loves my Coconut Shortbread cookies, so I sold out of those as well as the chocolate of the Gods. Scott Timm stopped by. It is really great to see the attention he gives to the smallest details.  A good market day!