By Ivana Cheong
Yesterday, June 1, the Wallingford Farmers Market officially opened for summer at its new location at Meridian Park, and already the market features more vendors than it had last year.
In 2010, the five-year farmers market host, the Wallingford Center, confined the weekly Wednesday market to the south end of its parking lot. Judy Kirkhuff, the market master, told us, “We lost 30 percent of our space last year,” adding that the market only featured 25 vendors at the time.
The more spacious surroundings in the southwest part of Meridian Playground will accommodate more booths and visitors. There were 32 vendors present at today’s opening, but Kirkhuff said that the list will grow to 42 to 44 vendors by summer. “There are no orchids right now, no strawberries,” she said. “We are really anticipating the harvest in one month. It’s been a long, cold, hard winter and spring.”
Many vendors are new to Wallingford’s market, such as Finnriver Farm and Cidery, Silver Springs Creamery, Tefft Cellars, and Hooting Owl Granola, whereas others like Tall Grass Bakery have participated for a few years. Despite the sprinkles of rain, the vendors said that they have enjoyed the environment and interacting with customers. With lively tunes from the ceremony’s musical act, kids danced and visitors enjoyed tasty treats like grilled quesadillas, lemonade, and hand-dipped ice cream bars.
On our Facebook page and in person, market-goers commented that they liked the new, more spacious location and looked forward to making the market part of their week.
The market features an array of fresh produce, colorful flowers, gourmet foods, and handcrafted arts every Wednesday, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., until September 28.
My Wallingford intern Ivana Cheong studies Communications at the University of Washington.
