The Shelby Farmers’ Market opens on Saturday, June 22. This market, located at Central Park in Shelby, offers food items like garden-fresh vegetables and even handmade items like candles or jewelry. And this year there will be cooking demonstrations, too.
Coordinator of the market Dave Ernst stated, “I like local businesses to get involved and I want people to have the ability to show off their items.”
When Ernst took over as coordinator a few years ago he wanted to keep it a “free market,” that is he didn’t want to have to charge people for vendor space. “When we have our farmers’ market manager meetings it’s surprising to me the budgets that some farmers’ markets have. We have a budget of zero and I think we do pretty well,” said Ernst.
Ernst particularly appreciates the community aspect offered by the market. Local residents enjoy catching up with each other while shopping. “It’s an opportunity for people to get fresh local foods and to catch up with their neighbors,” said Ernst.
With the upcoming season, the market has added some new and exciting things to its schedule.
“Some local farmers with the Farm Bureau in Richland County are helping organize a cooking demonstration that will be held every other Saturday from July 20 – September 28. Local celebrity chefs will use some of the food available at the market and host their own cooking demonstrations,” stated Ernst.
Ernst originally got involved in the market by selling his own garden items. Coming from a line of farmers, he always wanted to be an organic farmer but did not have the finances to support his dream, so he started gardening.
“I never wanted to be a gardener,” he said, “but offering items that people can’t find and knowing that I’m helping feed people is a wonderful feeling.” One of his popular items among children is his purple carrots. He mentioned how he sees mothers buying these carrots and how it’s neat to know that he’s motivating kids to eat their vegetables.
To get involved in the Shelby Farmers’ Market or get more information, contact Dave Ernst at 419-347-1084.