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This city parking lot at the corner of South Hiawatha Avenue and Second Street Southwest will be the home of the Pipestone Farmers Market. The market is expected to begin Saturday morning, June 14.
Photo by Kyle Kuphal
The Pipestone Farmers Market is expected to open Saturday, June 14. It will be located at the city parking lot at the corner of South Hiawatha Avenue and Second Street Southwest, near the city office building.
The market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon or until items are sold out on Saturdays to begin with. Beginning July 2, the market will also be open Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Lisa Smith, a vendor coordinator who has been selling produce at the Pipestone Farmers Market for almost 30 years, said there are about five regular vendors, some who attend periodically and others have indicated they plan to participate, so there might be around seven to 10 on some days. She said new vendors who plan to sell at the market this year have told her they plan to sell homemade candles and breads.
All the usual varieties of produce, herbs, baked goods, jams, jellies and honey are expected to be available at this year’s farmers market. Smith said there will be more variety available at the market as the growing season progresses.
Customers at the market can pay using cash, credit cards and electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards. Smith said some vendors also accept checks.
Those using EBT cards are eligible for Market Bucks, which they can use to purchase produce at the farmers market. They can receive up to a $10 match on what they spend with their EBT cards, so if they spend $10, they get $10 in Market Bucks to spend there also.
Another program available at the farmers market is the Power of Produce (PoP) program through which children ages 3 to 12 can sign up to get $2 in tokens to spend on produce each time they visit the market. Seniors age 60 and up can sign up to get $4 in tokens to spend on produce at the market each time they visit through a similar program. Those who qualify can sign up at the market. Smith said the programs will be offered as long as funds are available.
Anyone interested in becoming a vendor at the farmers market can pick up a registration form from the Pipestone Area Chamber of Commerce at 117 Eighth Ave SE. There’s a $20 vendor fee per season. Smith said anyone interested can stop at the market for more information.