Crafters and gardeners, get ready! Grant Farmers Market to open in June

Fresh vegetables, homemade goods and handcrafted items will once again fill Central Avenue in Grant when the Grant Farmer, Flea and Craft Market returns for the season this summer.

Opening day for the market is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, according to co-organizer DeeAnn Tatum, and it will run every Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. through the end of October. The market is located on the Bullock Car Lot at 740 Central Ave. along Highway 61 near the Grant City Park.

 Along with Tatum, other organizers are Virginia Adams and Terry Howell who have been helping keep the market going and say the weekly event is about more than just buying and selling.

Adams, who enjoys traveling and visiting with people, is known for creating one-of-a-kind jewelry that she sells at farmers markets throughout the region. Howell contributes produce grown in his own backyard garden, where he raises crops such as Roma tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers and a variety of squash, including butternut, acorn and spring squash.

One feature that sets the Grant market apart from many others is that vendors are not charged a booth fee, Tatum said. She said this helps keep costs down for both sellers and customers.

Community connection is at the heart of the market’s purpose, Tatum said.

“Community is important,” she said. “It’s a place that brings friends and neighbors together to discover crafts, hobbies, fruits, vegetables, herbs and other culinary delights.”

In addition to offering locally grown and handmade products, the market also serves as a gathering space where residents can socialize and strengthen community ties.

Tatum said community support is key to the market’s success.

“It’s made up of people just like you and me,” she said. “It’s up to the community to support it and help take care of it.”

Looking ahead, Tatum said she and Adams and Howell hope to expand the market by attracting more area food trucks. Food trucks are often operated by local entrepreneurs who create unique dishes and depend on community support, making them a natural fit for the weekly market, she said.

The market welcomes a wide variety of vendors, from gardeners and bakers to crafters and hobbyists. Those interested in becoming a vendor are encouraged to bring their products and participate, Tatum said.

“We welcome all types of merchants,” she said. “Just show up with your creation or your tasty product and a smile.”

According to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, some foods can be sold at farmers markets without a permit. These include fresh whole fruits and vegetables, certain baked goods without dairy-based fillings, traditional jams and jellies, fresh or dried herbs, locally produced eggs (with proper registration), and commercially packaged snack foods. Some homemade foods require a visible label stating they were prepared in a kitchen that is not inspected or licensed.

Tatum said markets like Grant’s do more than provide shopping opportunities, encourage community involvement, and support local farmers, gardeners and crafters. They create a sense of community belonging.

“Local activities such as farmers markets foster a sense of belonging while supporting local growers and creators,” she said.

For updates and information, people can follow the Grant Farmer, Flea and Craft Market on Facebook. Those with questions or who want to participate as vendors may contact the organizers at the following numbers: Virginia Adams at 308-464-0096; DeeAnn Tatum at 308-352-6605; Terry Howell at 308-464-0958.