By Marissa Sweatland
InkFreeNews

INDIANA — As the weather gets warmer and the skies get sunnier, local farmers and artisans bring their produce and wares to sell at community farmers markets. Kosciusko County has numerous farmers markets for community members to enjoy.

Kosciusko County Fairgrounds Farmers Market

Vendor Roy Anderson shows off some of his fresh produce he is selling at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds Farmers Market. Opening day for the 2024 season is Saturday, May 4. Photo provided.

“You can’t get fresher produce from anywhere else than a farmers market,” Pam Roberts, one of the market’s organizers, mentioned. “A lot of the produce is picked within the same week, possibly even the same day, as the market.”

The Kosciusko County Fairgrounds Farmers Market is open 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday, April through October and 2-4 p.m. every Wednesday, May through October at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds. Opening day for the 2024 season is Saturday, May 4.

“Everything at the market is grown in Kosciusko County,” Roberts explained.

A variety of in-season produce, meat and baked goods are available.

For more information about the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds Farmers Market or to become a vendor, call (574) 269-1823 or “like” the market on Facebook.

Kosciusko County Farmers and Artisan Market

Nathan Hooley of Ridge Lane Farm harvests some locally-grown potatoes to sell at the Downtown Wakarusa Farmers Market. Photo provided.

The Kosciusko County Farmers and Artisan Market offers something for everyone.

Not only does this farmers market offer local fresh produce, meat and eggs but local artists sell their handmade crafts and jewelry. The Kosciusko County Farmers and Artisan Market is the perfect place to find a one-of-a-kind, handmade gift for a friend or an accessory for yourself.

The Kosciusko County Farmers and Artisan Market is located in downtown Warsaw, on Center Street between Buffalo and Lake streets. The farmers market is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday and 5:30-7:30 p.m. every Wednesday, May through September. Opening day for the 2024 season is Saturday, May 4.

For more information about the Kosciusko County Farmers and Artisan Market or to become a vendor, call (574) 265-3916 or “like” the market on Facebook.

The Farmers Market at Winona

The Farmers Market at Winona opened in 2023 and is housed within the Miller Sunset Pavilion in Winona Lake.

“Shopping at a local farmers market allow patrons to support their community, always has fresh products, and creates a sense of community between the vendors and the patrons,” Jim Lancaster, one of the market’s organizers, explained. “Patrons within the community not only come to shop and patronize the vendors, they come to gather and meet and thus a sense of community is cultivated.”

The Farmers Market at Winona runs 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, May to September. Opening day for The Farmers Market at Winona is Saturday, May 4.

For more information about The Farmers Market at Winona or to become a vendor, email [email protected].

Nappanee Market on Market

Nathan and Emily Hooley stand by their farm stand stationed at the Downtown Wakarusa Farmers Market. The Downtown Wakarusa Farmers Market is open from 3-7 p.m. every third Friday. Photo provided.

The Nappanee Market on Market is about to open for its sixth season. The market offers a variety of locally-grown produce, baked goods, handmade greeting cards, handpicked flowers and handmade crafts.

The Nappanee Market on Market is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, June through October. The opening day for the market is Saturday, June 8. The market is housed in the Downtown Pavilion, on the corner of Clark and Market streets.

“It’s the best way to get the freshest local produce, support local vendors and the community,” Tiffany Salyer, director of programming for the Nappanee Parks and Recreation, explained.

For more information about The Nappanee Market on Market or to become a vendor, call (574) 773-2112 or “like” the market on Facebook.

Downtown Wakarusa Farmers Market

“The first Walmart opened in 1962. Before supermarkets, people would grown their own food or trade food they grew to get other food they did not raise themselves,” Katie Moore, market manager, explained. “They relied on community to make this happen.”

The Downtown Wakarusa Farmers Market is open from 3-7 p.m. every third Friday at Doc’s Pavilion, 116 Waterford St., Wakarusa.

“Having a farmers market and supporting local vendors brings back those traditions that allowed us to survive for thousands of years,” Moore said. “It is important to keep this tradition alive because it is healthier for us, it’s better for the earth and climate, and it makes the community stronger.”

For more information about the Downtown Wakarusa Farmers Market or to become a vendor, email Moore at [email protected] or “like” the market on Facebook.