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| Market brings community together |
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| News - Spring Hill | |||
| Written by Chase Jordan | |||
| Wednesday, 01 July 2009 07:00 | |||
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Josh Oliver and his father Chris Oliver were successful Saturday during their first day as entrepreneurs. The father and son duo from Gardner joined other business owners Saturday during the Spring Hill Farmers Market. They recently started O’Jellys. The business’ specialties include jalapeno, mulberry and rhubarb jellies.  “Our idea is to take things that the general public wouldn’t think about making into a jelly,” Chris said. “Its something you can’t find in stores, but if you do, it’s not going to be as good as ours.” The North Carolina natives started making their jellies last year by having family and friends taste their products. “Your friends will tell if its bad before you try to sell it to people.” Josh was impressed with the turnout at the market Saturday. “I was impressed because we didn’t know what to expect,” Josh said. “It’s been a good experience.” The farmers market opened in spring and is available to the public until the second Saturday in October from 7:30 a.m. to noon. Patti Stites, market manager, enjoys the community involvement that the market brings. “The fact that they are supporting businesses locally is great for the community,” Stites said. She said everything at the farmers market is homemade. There are about three master gardeners that participate in the market. Stites said produce at the market travels less than 50 miles before it comes to a parking lot near Spring Hill Elementary School, 300 S. Webster St. “You don’t get the opportunity to talk with people that grow your food,” Stites said. “We try to encourage people to produce locally.” Stites said children usually ride their bikes in an area blocked off by orange cones. “We’re trying to promote this as a family event,” Stites said. Prairie View X offered face painting and juggling lessons for children along with tea and fruit slushes. Their main product was fresh farm eggs. Nancy Kalman, owner of Pickings and Pumpkins, said she has been participating in the market for a couple of years now. She said the number of vendors is increasing. Fresh Pickings had a successful day after selling out of tomatoes. This is the first year at the market for Jeff Bingman and his family. They also sold onions and potatoes. Bingman said he treats his crops with a lot of love and care, which is something that makes his business unique. “We try to go the extra mile with them,” he said. Other products besides produce are also sold at the market. Ken Mack, owner of Creations for Christ, sold inspirational hand-made art in the form of crosses made from discarded wood and from slate and marble from stores. He decided to start his business after an injury from iron working. “I did research, and there’s no one on the planet that’s doing it like this,” he said. “The only thing that has cost is my labor.” He has future plans to build a networking Web site where vendors can sell religious products. Connie’s Potting Shed sold fresh flower bouquets, plants, fruits and soap and lotion bars. Peg and Beth’s Bakery and Crafts sold baked goods, jams and jellies and children’s toys and furniture.
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