Winter farmers market allows consumers to shop local safely

CARMEL, Ind. — Despite it being winter and the extra precautions that have been put into place to ensure consumer and vendor safety, the Carmel Winter Farmers Market is still open.

The market, which operates from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday, is scheduled to run through the end of March.

Consumers walk the aisles of the Carmel Winter Farmers Market, browsing all the goods and the produce that vendors have available. (AgriNews photo/Ashley Langreck)

Ron Carter, who serves as the Carmel Farmers Market president and market master, said the market, which is run by all volunteers, made some changes to ensure the safety of everyone that comes out to visit and support the market.

Carter said the market is now operating with one-way aisles and uniform spaces.

“All vendors abide by the situation of masks and social distancing,” Carter said.

Ron Carter, who is the president at the Carmel Farmers Market, as well as market master, poses for a photo with fellow volunteers Deborah Schmitz, who is the associate market master, and Keitha Libman. (AgriNews photo/Ashley Langreck)

Carter said being able to ensure a safe market is thanks to Deborah Schmitz, the associate market master, who redesigned the market over the summer, so 37 vendors could sell their products this winter.

Fresh produce is just one of the items for sale at the 2021 Carmel Winter Farmers Market. (AgriNews photo/Ashley Langreck)

Carter said the crowds at the market have been pleasantly surprising and attendance each Saturday has been higher than that corresponding day last year.

Olivia Cosgray Martinez, who works for Tulip Tree Creamery, shows off the Milkweed Cheese, which is a Gruyere-style cheese. It recently won first prize in a food competition. (AgriNews photo/Ashley Langreck)

For more information, visit www.carmelfarmersmarket.com/wm-home.

Winter farmers market allows consumers to shop local safely

Ashley Estes