Oskaloosa Farmers’ Market Opens To Eager Shoppers

Lots of people found their way to the Oskaloosa Farmers' Market on opening day of 2012

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Strawberries and rhubarb, asparagus, radishes and onions all lined the tables at the season’s opening day of the Oskaloosa Farmers’ Market.

Lyle Siefering heads up the effort to help make the local farmers market happen every year. “It takes some hours,” Siefering said about the time it takes to prepare for farmers market. Meetings for this year started back in December in conjunction with the Living Healthy in Iowa group.

Through it all, they found a way to get some grant money to help put on some promotions during the year, along with some new signs which include new banner signs hanging off the local light poles.

Siefering said that getting people to eat healthy is going to be a focus of the group this year. Trying to help spread the word to a younger generation is a goal for this year and they hope that Facebook will be one of those tools to help them. You can find the Oskaloosa Farmers’ Market Facebook page HERE. Also, they will be sponsoring workshops to help teach people how to prepare the fresh produce, as well as some giveaways once things get more organized.

“My kids love fresh veggies, and they’ll eat more of it than canned,” said Shayla Pace.When asked if she’s been looking forward to Farmers’ Market, “very much so” was the response, saying her and her family are regulars every year.

More vendors help provide a greater variety, and Siefering says there is more room for vendors. A fee of $7.00 is charged to set up at a single day of the market. A season will cost you $70.00 and will get you included into either one or the other, Tuesday or Saturday market. If you would like to do both, it’s $125.

If your interested in learning more, you can visit the Oskaloosa Farmers’ Market on their website HERE. Sponsored by Mahaska Ruritan Club, which hosts the market, and the proceeds from the market goes into a scholarship fund.