Farmers Market board reinstates Saturdays

You’ll be able to load up on locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables both Wednesdays and Saturdays this summer.

Last month, the Baker City Farmers Market board voted to drop Saturdays and instead have one market per week on Wednesday afternoons.

The board revisited that decision Wednesday night with the help of comments from vendors and the community.

Directors voted to keep Saturdays and to renew an effort to recruit more vendors.

The original reason for paring down to one market was that in 2009 the Saturday market didn’t draw enough vendors to pay the market manager.

At this week’s meeting, four vendors committed to a full season on Saturdays, making that a viable market.

The 2010 season will be the 10th year of the market, which was started as a community project by a Master Gardener class. Volunteers organized the market until a manager was hired two seasons ago.

Wednesday markets will be from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The season will be from June 16 to Sept. 29 and include 16 Wednesdays and 14 Saturdays (there won’t be a market during Miners Jubilee on July 17).

Hoping to draw more vendors, the board also decided to reduce the fees. The prices are:

• $12 per market for vendors who sign up for the full season and pay in advance

• $10 per market for a half space (6fi feet wide) for vendors who sign up for the whole season

• $15 per market for drop-in vendors

• $12 per market for drop-in vendors at a half space

The goal of the board is to recruit as many vendors as possible, and also to encourage more community involvement to help with special events throughout the summer.

A vendor meeting and potluck dinner are scheduled in April. Anyone considering selling at the market — both full time or drop-in part time — is encouraged to attend. The date and time will be announced later.

The board of directors for the Farmers Market are: Amy Young, Andi Sexton, Valerie Tachenko, Sheri Akers, Frank McCleary, Gerry Carter, Jenny Mowe Joseph, Laura Harryman and Carolyn Lara.