Wednesday, Mar. 03, 2010

Garner wants a farmers' market

A group working to bring downtown Garner to life hopes to start a farmers' market this spring.

Fifteen or so vendors have expressed interest in selling goods at a market in Garner, said John Hodges, director of the Garner Revitalization Association. "So far, we've had an overwhelming response from people who said, 'Yes, we want a market,'" he said.

Now, the group is looking for possible locations. Hodges said he hoped to set up a market near downtown to draw shoppers into the area.

An early concern has been Garner's proximity to the state farmers' market off of Lake Wheeler Road, Hodges said. But the group thinks the area has enough locally grown products to justify a market in Garner, he said.

To start a market, Hodges said, marketing is key. "We're looking for some creative ways through social networking," he said.

Leaders of the Clayton Farm & Community Market know the importance of letting people know a market exists, said Leslie Hubbard, the group's vice president. The Clayton market plans to start its second season this spring.

About 500 people signed up for an e-mail list for the Clayton market, Hubbard said. Still, few shoppers showed up on some Saturdays.

"We hung in there," she said.

For more information about plans for a Garner farmers' market, go to downtowngarner.com.