Farmer’s Markets Kick Off in Fargo

Farmers say to be considered “grown local”  produce must be grown within 60 miles of Fargo. Items grown aren’t being transported far like the what is seen at the store.

“It’s starting to pick up right now! It starts real slow in the beginning but right now after the 4th of July is when it really starts to snowball and things start going really well.” says Bubba Halverson, who’s family business is Blue House.

To local sellers like Bubba and Austin, the opportunity to sell at farmer’s markets are much  much more than that.

Austin Wittmier from Bill Erbes Farms said “Know your farmer, know your food– and that’s a motto we definitely try to live by everyday.”

Connecting with the community is their favorite part, as well as building their own within local brands. Bill Erbes farms, Blue House and Driscoll farms have been selling together at markets for almost 30 years. The three vendors belong to the Great Plains Produce Association.

“It’s friendly competition, we keep each other going. We want to make sure people get what they’re looking for when they come to the market– if I don’t grow it I know they do,” Wittmier explains.

Some of the produce is picked as early as the morning of the market.

Marsha Schmidt has been buying locally for over 12 years. She values that it’s an all natural option and if she has questions, the grower is right there to answer them.

“So I know where the food came from, the prices are usually comparable, the freshness is incomparable,” said Schmidt.

The Northern Plains Farmer’s Market at West Acres is on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. You can find the vendors mentioned previously from 10-5 p.m.

From now until Oct. 6 the West Fargo Park’s annual Farmers’ market at the South Elmwood parking lot takes place from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays.  The Red River Market on north Broadway starts on Saturday from 10-2 p.m.