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Guest column by Verlys Huntley

The last couple days have had most of us spending more time outside, as the weather has finally been warm and not quite as windy. So all gardeners have probably had their hands in the dirt, planting seeds or plants.

Vegetable and fruit vendors at the Albert Lea Farmers Market are for sure out in the garden, getting ready for our first market on Wednesday, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., and as a vendor, I am looking forward to seeing our many friendly and faithful customers again.

As many of you know, early season markets in Minnesota will have a limited amount of produce ready, but the perennials like asparagus and rhubarb will make their appearance, along with some bedding plants, lots of delicious home-baked goodies, meat, eggs, jams and jellies and other canned goods, dehydrated apple chips, gladiolus bulbs, honey, delicious gourmet coffee, crafts and much, much more.

Look for some new and exciting things at the market. The long-awaited restrooms are now under construction, and our market is planning to work with Blue Zones this year to help our local people live longer and healthier lives (still in planning stages). Some of our current children’s incentive programs are certainly geared toward improving the diets of younger families. The Power of Produce program gives a $2 token to each child age 4 to 12 each time they come to the market, and they can purchase any fresh fruit or vegetable available there. The Market Sprouts program gives each child a member card marked for $10 in purchases, and when the card is filled, they get a $1 gift certificate they can use to buy anything at the market. These programs are funded by grant programs, and help financially as well as teaching the kids to shop wisely and to eat more vegetables and fruits, thereby improving their diets. The kids who can actually purchase their own produce are more apt to try different vegetables, and take an interest in preparing or cooking them. And kids who grow up gardening or eating a lot of vegetables learn to enjoy eating some of the healthier foods, instead of “junk foods.”

Unfortunately, over the last few years, we have lost a few of our older vendors who were unable to still garden, so we are looking for new vendors, particularly vegetable and fruit growers. More information, along with market rules and the vendor application, are available on the Albert Lea Farmers Market Facebook page, and you can send messages on there if you have any questions, or call or text me at 641-590-7571. Being a vendor can be a very enjoyable experience, meeting and visiting with some wonderful folks.

In recent years, more people are seeking a closer relationship with the growers of our food, and how better to get it than at the local farmers market? Our market is open from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

Verlys Huntley is a vendor at the Albert Lea Farmers Market.