Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include a list of market vendors.
By Kim McDarison
The Fort Atkinson Farmers Market will begin its warm weather season Saturday, with the market opening in its traditional location, “Market Square,” in Fort Atkinson’s downtown area, from 8 a.m. to noon.
Market Square is a public parking lot located across the street from the Fort Atkinson Post Office, 24 Milwaukee Ave., E.
The market’s full warm weather season runs between May and October, according to information released by Fort Atkinson Tourism Manager and Marketing Director Holly Tierney. The season provides 26 daytime shopping opportunities.
Fort Atkinson Farmers Market Manager Haley Kessler noted that this year, market patrons will find a return of familiar vendors along with some “new faces.”
According to the release, the market will provide a “great variety of locally grown and sourced produce, flowers, meats, eggs (and) crafts,” among other offered-for-purchase items.
In a recent telephone interview, Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shauna Wessely noted that clients using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will once again be able to use electronic benefit transfers to pay for purchases made at the market of such items as “produce, meats, eggs and most other food.”
According to Jefferson County Health Department Women, Infants and Children’s Program (WIC) Director Jennifer Gaal, “FoodShare” is Wisconsin’s equivalent of SNAP. Those interested in learning more about the program or are looking to apply for its use, can do so using the following link: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/foodshare/eligibility.htm.
According to Gaal, several vendors at the Fort Farmers Market also accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FNMP) checks for WIC recipients and seniors. Additional information about the FNMP program can be obtained through the following link: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/wic/fmnp/index.htm.
To learn more about the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, visit: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/wic/fmnp/senior.htm.
Additionally, this Saturday, market patrons will be treated to entertainment provided by local acoustical guitarist Gus Baltes, who will perform between 9 and 11 a.m., Wessely said.
Looking ahead, and according to the release, the market this year will include special events, which will be offered during “select Saturdays.” Among them is a celebration of poet Lorine Niedecker’s 120th birthday. The event is planned for Saturday, May 13. Among activities provided as part of the birthday celebration will be an opportunity for authors to sell their books. Those wishing to be included as a book vendor are encouraged to visit: https://fortchamber.com/farmers-market.
The Farmers Market is sponsored by Fort HealthCare in 2023.
In 2021, signage advertising the event, announced that is was in its 15th year, making this year, 2023, the market’s 17th year of operation.
Patrons will find the following vendors at the market on Saturday: Morningside Farm and Orchard, Fort Johnson Farms, Just Add Wine Candle Co. LLC, Y Knot, Drews Designs, Jenks Honey, Sudsdelisious, SJW Homemade, Hoard’s Dairyman Farm Creamery, Jazzed Up Marshmallows, Peace of Eden, Beauty and the Bean, The Vegetable Stand, Aunt Mables Sweet Treats, Two Jars, Xiong, Pots & Props, Hyssop Acres, Wild Roots Produce, Oily Gathering Co + Wco, Shannon Shenanigans Dessert Co., The Gourd Lady, Broken Fences, and Jazzbead.
Looking ahead, additional vendors slated to join the market include: Broadway Bakers, and Ju Yang.
Sara Stahl, Fort Atkinson, picks out flowers sold at a table operated by Royal Hartwig of Lake Mills. The transaction was made at the Fort Farmers Market in 2021. File photo/Chris Spangler.
Signs mounted on a lamppost in Market Square note that the Fort Farmers Market was, in 2021, enjoying its 15th year of operation, making 2023 the 17th annual Fort Farmers Market. File photo/Chris Spangler.
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