It may be early in the growing season, but the Cortez Farmers Market opened on June 4 with more than 40 vendors and plenty of produce available for hungry shoppers. And expect to see more about the Farmers Market as a result of a $10,000 advertising grant from Colorado Proud. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply Ace Hardware and TruWest Auto
Expect to learn more this summer about the local farmers, ranchers and vendors, who sell their wares at the Cortez Farmer's Market. The market opened for its 49th season on June 4th, and it hopes to entice even more customers with a $10,000 grant it recently received from Colorado Proud. You're watching the Local News Network, brought to you by Choice Building Supply, ACE Hardware and True West Auto. I'm Wendy Graham Settle. Colorado's longest running farmer's market is right here in Cortez, Colorado, founded 49 years ago by local farmer, Bessy White. The market is an integral part of the community's culture and you're soon to learn more about the local farmers, ranchers and artisans that make the Cortez Market a special place to visit on Saturday mornings. The farmer's market recently received a $10,000 grant to boost its advertising budget, to encourage more residents to eat locally grown food. Market Manager, Julie Periman, says, "The money will be used to purchase media advertising, develop a new website, and produce a series of stories about individual vendors."
So you can actually get to know your farmer. Get to know your rancher who's producing your meat, which is fantastic for us.
While the growing season is just sprouting out of the ground, the market had plenty of produce on hand for eager locavores. Customers had their choice of carrots, greens, radishes, spring onions, vegetable starts ready for planting, local eggs, lamb, beef and pork. Ready made foods were available for purchase, as well as jewelry, artwork, clothing and beauty products made with goat's milk. Periman said, "This year's roster is 47 vendors strong. One of the biggest markets Cortez has seen in many years."
So I'm just happy to be here and happy to have all these vendors here. They're excited for the first day. They're excited for this June month. They're excited for this season.
The farmer's market is open from 7:30 to 11:30 every Saturday morning through the end of September. Start time moves to 8:30 AM in October. All markets are located in the County Courthouse parking lot. Frequent buyers can earn 5 bucks in market dollars when they purchase goods from 5 vendors during the season. To learn more, visit cortezfarmmarket.com. Thanks for watching this edition of the Local News Network. I'm Wendy Graham Settle.
