Farmer's market having breakout season

Mother Nature has been kind to the Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market this year.

Saturday’s beautiful morning continued the market’s good weather fortune, with hundreds of people purchasing everything from fresh corn on the cob to hot peppers to chocolate-covered strawberries.

The pleasant days and variety of products helped the market greatly expand its reach this year.

“Our customer counts increased from about 1,800 on a regular Saturday to about 3,000, so we saw a real increase in attendance of the market,” said Mary Beth Alexander, market manager. “I think we’ve had a great season this year. We had new vendors and returning vendors, and I think that everybody just has had a really great, positive season. And the weather has been fantastic.”

While nice sunny days always help draw crowds, Alexander said the market also did more this year to reach out to potential customers.

“We did a little more marketing this year in terms of what’s available here, when we’re here,” she said. “And through social media we’ve had engagement that probably brought more people out.”

Alexander said Taste of the Market, which was held on Thursday nights in June and July, also saw significant growth this year.

“That is a benefit to customers that aren’t able to make it in the morning hours because of work or other scheduling conflicts,” Alexander said. “It brings sort of a different crowd, and we get to do some nighttime vibe things, have live music.”

Alexander said the market benefitted from having a number of first-time vendors this year, including Fire in the Hole Pepper Co., whose owner, Caleb Chapman, couldn’t be more pleased with the amount of business he’s gained.

“I’ve always been passionate about peppers, and I kind of always did it as a hobby, but my significant other was like, ‘Why don’t you try to make it a business,’ ” he said. “I just decided to try it one day, and here we are. It was on a whim. But I think it’s gone really well.”

Chapman said he expects to continue selling his products at the market next year.

“Local food is better for you, fresher, tastes better,” he said. “You get (peppers) in the store, they’re not going to have the spice you would get from me.”

Inglish Hunter is another first-year vendor. Her company is Berry Boujie, which produces a variety of chocolate-covered treats, with chocolate-covered strawberries being her specialty.

“I thought it was a good idea because it allowed me to connect to people and to see their reactions first hand (to the products),” said Hunter of what prompted her to joint he market. “I like to be a part of the everyday moments.”

Hunter said her experience selling at the market has “exceeded expectations,” and she’s ready to keep growing the business.

“Being able to interact and be a part of their memories, because a lot of them (purchase) berries as a gift for others,” said Hunter of what she’s most enjoyed about the market. “Being a part of that really has been overwhelming for me, and it’s been more than I expected. I definitely would try to attend next year, but I’m also working out how to get into shipping online and have a storefront in the future.”

While summer is coming to an end, the market still has two months remaining in its schedule. It will be open 8 a.m to noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays through the end of October.

The market caps its year with a Holiday Market on Nov. 2. Applications to reserve a vendor spot are being accepted now through the end of September, and Alexander said nonmembers of the market are encouraged to set up at the event.