Farmington's farmers market is bigger than ever

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Pretty soon, Farmington residents won’t have to step foot into a grocery store over the summer months. If the Farmington farmer’s market keeps growing the way it has been, visitors will be able to get three square meals and a few snacks fresh from the market.

City of Farmington executive assistant Cindy Muller has been working hard to get ready for the 2012 farmer’s market season, which starts June 14. With two weeks to go, Muller had 19 vendors lined up, and seven of them are new this year.

“We have such a wide variety this year, people could bring their shopping lists,” Muller said.

And she’s probably right.

There are number of produce vendors who will bring fresh-from-the garden fruits and vegetables. But there is a whole lot more coming, too. One vendor will bring frozen, packaged meats including organic grass-finished beef, Berkshire pork, pasture-raised chicken, and lamb, duck, goose and turkey.

A new vendor, Eric’s Barbecue, will bring a line of meat seasonings and barbecue sauces.

A returning vendor from a few years back, Snappy Dog Salsa, brings nine homemade salsas to the market. In addition, Great Harvest Bread Company will be here, as will Clem’s Popcorn. Other vendors will offer bakery items, apples, eggs, honey, jams, berries, German sausage and homemade horseradish.

There are two new soap and lotions vendors, and a woman who makes handcrafted jewelry will also have a spot in the market.

Finally, for those who really cannot wait to get home and eat all of the fresh goodness they’ve picked up at the market, DNS Enterprises will set up and sell ready-to-eat hot dogs, brats, hamburgers and the like.

“I really wanted to get more of the specialty items this year,” Muller said. “I’m always looking for more variety with our vendors.”

The farmer’s market will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Third Street in front of city hall on Thursdays, June 14 through Sept. 13.

Over the course of the summer, a number of special events will be held during the market. On June 14 and July 5, the local band One Day Closer will play country, 70s and 80s music. The evenings of June 21 and Aug. 30 are Business Nights, where all of Farmington’s local businesses can set up at the market to show customers what they have to offer. Folks who have older homes can visit with Farmington’s heritage preservation consultants on June 28 and Aug. 23. Rambling River Center will be featured July 19, and will include line dancing, organ music, wood carvers and model trains. Winning artwork from the Dakota County Fair will be featured on Aug. 16, which is Dakota Valley Arts Council night at the market.

With 19 vendors, this is the biggest Farmington’s market will be in its four-year run. Muller thinks the vendors keep coming back because they like Farmington’s market just as much as the residents do.

“Our vendors like to come to this one because they see a lot of people they know. They like it too because it’s smaller and they can get to know their customers,” she said.

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