Farmer's Market thrives on plaza

A customer makes a purchase from one of the vendors at the Fort Scott Farmer's Market Wednesday morning. According to Farmers Market Association member and vendor Mary Corpstein, more customers have made purchases at its new location on Skubitz Plaza in the first two weeks of this season than at any other location. (Jason E. Silvers/Tribune photo) [Click to enlarge]

The market, which moved to Skubitz Plaza May 2, offers local residents fresh produce, baked goods, all-natural food products, and other items at reasonable prices. A windy but mostly sunny morning greeted the group of vendors and customers present at the market Wednesday.

"Overall, we've had more customers than we would have had the first two weeks at the other (previous) location," Farmers Market Association member and vendor Mary Corpstein said.

Vendor Whitedove Gannon, who moved to Fort Scott with her family from Denver, Colo., three years ago, had tables set up Wednesday to sell her unique food products, including organic wheat bread and free range eggs. Gannon also sells meat products such as chicken, beef and pork.

Gannon said she and her family have farmed for about two years, and she and her husband, William, have offered products at the farmer's market for one year.

"It's an outlet to put our food products out to the public and spread the word," she said.

Customers turned out sporadically to shop Wednesday at the market, which is open from 7 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday through October.

"It's been off and on," Gannon said.

The market moved this year from its previous location in the parking lot of the Good Shepherd Thrift Store at the corner of Fourth and Judson streets to be more visible to the public and to potentially grow the market. The market is bigger this year with the addition of a new community tent for local groups, clubs and organizations to use to distribute information to the public, and a market tent for vendors to distribute information about the market.

The issue of safety was also a factor in the decision to move the market, as vehicles would often drive through the middle of the market at its former location, sometimes endangering vendors and customers, Corpstein said.

Moving the market to Skubitz Plaza also gives organizers and vendors a larger area to conduct several new events and activities that are scheduled to take place soon.

"We'll have periodic celebrations each season," Gannon said. "We want to make it a destination on Saturdays where people say, 'There's something going on down there. Let's go check it out.' That's our goal."

Organizers are currently planning the market's grand opening event which is scheduled for Saturday and will feature interactive activities for children, the potting of herbs, a face painting booth, and prize giveaways. Another special event, called "Guest Chef Days," will feature guest chefs from the area who will make periodic presentations using vendors' seasonal produce. Dates for these events will be announced at a later date.

The market is now sponsored, organized and conducted by members of the Fort Scott Farmers Market Association. The FSFMA was formed last year and is made up of several past market vendors.

Besides food products, customers can also shop for plants and flowers, and a variety of arts and crafts items at each market. For more information, contact Corpstein at (620) 857-4190.