Farmers in the Square

After a recent frustrating attempt to buy "local" food (the word "local," like "natural," has no regulation. At a nearby farm stand, "local" means from within a day's drive), I started digging for a real local farmer's market to shop. 10 miles down the road is "Farmers on the Square". The Sentinel, a local newspaper, wrote a great story about this rejuvenated marketplace that requires farmer-vendors to come from within a 50-mile radius.

"Stephanie Williams, the greenway and open space coordinator for Cumberland County, said county officials talk a lot about farmland preservation and maintaining working farms. Supporting local farmers through farmers markets and retail shops is a big part of that, she said. “It’s one way to support local agriculture,” she said, noting that she, too, has seen an increased interest in buying local food and other goods.
Over the last year, the Carlisle area has seen the re-emergence of a downtown seasonal farmers market in Farmers on the Square, a new country market in Mountain Lakes Market and the rebirth of the Holly Pike market, Williams noted.

"The vendors who manage the market, open three days a week, year-round, put their own money into paying the lease on the property and maintaining it. Supporting the markets pumps money into the economy, she said, adding, “It’s also nice to know where your food comes from.”

See you next Wednesday at Farmers in the Square!