Columbia Farmers' Market provides healthy food options
By Chris Matthews

People from around the community came to the Columbia Farmers' Market on Saturday, Aug. 27, to buy fresh produce. The market, located at 1701 West Ash St. in Columbia, is in its 25th year of operation. 

The Columbia Farmers' Market is a place to buy produce and interact with local growers. The market is a place where people come together to share stories and meet with people who share similar interests in food.

“We want the market to be more than a place to buy food, the market is a place to come together as a community,” Victoria Day, coordinator for the market, said. 

Vendors exchange ideas with each other about how to grow produce, and customers ask questions about produce quality.

For students who are looking for a place to buy produce, Columbia Farmers' Market can be an alternative to the local grocery store. The products sold are locally grown. In addition, growers are there to answer questions about their produce. 

Cindy Kerr is a local customer who comes to the market on a regular basis. Kerr and other customers could be seen moving from one vendor to the next, loading down their bags with fresh produce. Kerr considers herself a “loyal customer” and even after being away from Columbia for several years, she still stops at the market on Saturdays now that she is back in town.

At the present time, the farmers' market is attempting to build a permanent structure so that the market can operate for the entire year.

“This is at the top of our list of priorities for the future of the market,” Day said.

For more information on the Columbia Farmers' Market, you can go to their Web site at farmersmarket.missouri.org. There you will find information about operating hours as well as upcoming events at the market.

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