The smell of fresh produce, baked goods and pulled pork fills the air as people of all ages gather at the Minnetrista Farmers Market.
The event takes place every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon during the summer and features dozens of vendors selling many kinds of goods to the public.
“It’s as much a social environment as a selling environment.” said Shannon McConnell of FingerPrints Custom Bakery, who was selling a wide variety of flavored egg noodles. McConnell is one of the many vendors who brings a specialized product to the market. His Albany-based business offers some vegan and gluten-free products to meet any dietary needs.
Many vendors at the market offer specialized goods, much like McConnell’s egg noodles, which could not be found in stores.
An example of this is lamb products from Russell Sheep Company, a long time vendor at the market. Diane Russell, the farm owner, said the amount of lamb products offered in stores is usually limited to one or two cuts. At her booth there were over two dozen kinds of meat offered.
“Lamb is an age sensitive product,” Russell said. “Its quality will depend on its age, and how it was processed, how the animal was fed, the breed of animal, all that. We are able to control all those things, which leaves us with a better product. You are just not getting to find that in a store.”
Other items like ground cherries, yellow tomatoes, purple asparagus and blue potatoes are all things that may not be available in stores, but are found in bountiful amounts at the market.
“The selection is so wide,” said shopper Christy Geisler, a long time patron of the market. “Meeting all the vendors, and being able to support them and all their families is awesome.
Meeting the people in your community that are helping your community is incredibly important.”
Geisler said buying organic products is important, both from the market and stores.
Sheryl Mong, who was selling organic goods for Gary’s Garden in Muncie, agreed that organic is better.
“It tastes better, it’s better for you, a lot better,” Mong said. “You don’t have to worry about any of the pesticides doing harm to your body.”
Geisler encourages shoppers to do their own research, looking into what does and does not need to be bought organic.
“In some cases it’s just better to buy organic cause it’s important to get the nutrients that the chemicals would normally kill off,” Geisler said.
She said she encourages people to get to know their vendors personally because they are passionate about their products and will go out of their way to provide them.
“The Farmers Market still happens, at their houses... you can still call them up after the summer ends and they will hook you up,” she said.
The market is not only limited to food, several of the booths will sell flowers, honey and even dog treats.
