Gardener’s market brings fresh medley to Cache Valley
Saturday mornings at Merlin Olsen Park start with the jingle of a cow bell promptly at 9 a.m. With that sound, vendors and customers of the Cache Valley Gardener’s Market know that the buying and selling can begin.
People of all ages and walks of life flock to the market to purchase a variety of goods. Jewelry and handbags, fresh eggs, handmade soaps, artisan cheeses and breads are among the scores of wares available.
The majority of goods sold are fresh fruits and vegetables, grown in Cache Valley or neighboring counties. Local restaurants and individuals also offer various prepared foods for people to enjoy at the market.
The Beehive Grill makes a showing with their handmade gelato. Sweetly Divine tempts customers with its decadent pastries. The Pauni family brings the unique island flavor that they serve up at Pounders, and Café Ibis supports coffee and hot-chocolate lovers alike. They also support the local charity Four Paws Rescue by donating all of their market sales to the organization.
Vendors range from six-year-old Finn Brewer, who sells flower bouquets, to Marion Ruediger, 98. Ruediger sews pot holders and grocery sack holders during the week and sets up a card table with her creations on Saturdays. Many market-goers comment on her spryness and are amazed when she reveals her age. When asked for a pearl of wisdom, her advice is to stay busy.
“I would go crazy if I didn’t have something to do,” Ruediger said.
Several USU students and graduates are among the sellers hawking their merchandise each week. Lee Derbyshire just completed a certificate in horticulture this spring and is actively involved in the market’s management and operating her own booth. She sells water-wise perennials as well as vegetable plants for people to purchase and plant themselves. Those with a brown thumb can also purchase her tomatoes at harvest time.
Derbyshire handles the entertainment for the market, which consists mainly of musicians that play each week.
“We try to schedule a variety of acts to reach the most people,” she said. “The line-up is always entertaining, even if it isn’t always the type of music I am generally interested in.”
Last week’s group, a trio named Orjazzm, inspired several market-goers to dance down the aisles.
Whitney Robbins, a senior majoring in residential landscape design and construction, grew up with a farming lifestyle in Garland, Utah. She said her dad started out feeding the family and gradually grew more and more vegetables to sell to the public. Now, she grows the tomatoes and he grows the corn and pumpkins that they sell at various venues in Northern Utah under the name Bubba’s Produce.
Robbins and her husband, adorned in red shirts printed with the phrase “Aw, shucks,” discussed the differences between white, yellow and bi-color corn with a customer. She said the white is the sweetest, while the yellow has the “corniest” flavor and the bi-color offers a little of both.
Robbins said shopping for produce at the market allows the consumer to purchase different varieties of tomatoes, corn, etc. than those found at the grocery store.
“It’s a great way to get all your produce super-fresh and also support your local growers,” she said.
Kylie Sheppard, a sophomore in psychology, said she makes an effort to go to every Saturday market and has since she was a little girl. She said her mom always made sure to treat her with something special, usually fruity lemonade.
“I never miss a chance to stop by the Hot Mamas’ Lemonade stand. I love all of their lemonades, especially blackberry,” Sheppard said. Hot Mamas uses whatever fresh fruit is in season at the time, so their flavors change as the summer progresses.
Sheppard also said she likes to pick up the occasional item of jewelry.
“It’s not outrageously priced, like Summerfest can be,” she said, “and everything is really unique.”
Sheppard has seen the market grow from its early days, when there were 10-12 vendors. According to Mary Ann Hubbell, gardener’s market secretary, they have had over 200 vendor applications submitted this year.
“Generally, 80-100 sellers show up each week. And we handpick the craft vendors so that there are a wide variety of items here to purchase. You can buy almost everything at the Gardener’s Market,” Hubbell said.
The market begins every year on the Saturday before Mother’s Day and continues this year until Oct. 16. On Sept. 18, the the market will make a one-time move from Merlin Olsen Park to the steps of the Cache County Courthouse to accommodate the Top of Utah marathon. The market hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and anyone can sign up to receive the market’s weekly newsletter by emailing Hubbell at gardenersmarket06@yahoo.com.
–tam.r@aggiemail.usu.edu