Farmers market enjoys the sweet taste of success
Written by Phil Cerroni
By Amanda Casanova
The Coppell Farmers Market is on pace to produce another successful year, according to Karen Pearsall, chairwoman of the Coppell Farmers Market.
In her annual state of the market address to the Coppell City Council on Sep. 25, Pearsall said traffic at the market has jumped despite a “hot and dry summer.”
The Farmers Market boasts 36 vendors, while the market sees about 345 customers an hour.
“2012 has proven to be another incredible year,” she said.
Currently located in a temporary location near Main Street, the Market is expected to move to its new home when construction on a pavilion is finished next year.
This year, the Farmers Market held the 2nd Annual Farm to Table Dinner in June, which is a chance to showcase farmers’ produce. The event raised more than $3,000.
Some of the money was earmarked for promoting the Farmers Market, but about $1,000 was set aside for the Market’s SNAP program, which allows customers to use a Lone Star card to buy goods at the market.
Lone Star card customers can use their card to purchase $1 tokens at the main tent on the west side of the market. The tokens can be used like cash with vendors. Any Lone Star tokens that are not used may be returned to the tent for credit back on the card or saved for future trips.
“I don’t think anyone had a grasp on what that program could do,” Pearsall said. “It’s taken off.”
Debit cards are also now accepted at the market.
Pearsall said the Farmers Market is making plans to possibly welcome food trucks to the Saturday market and possibly add a midweek market.
“Our committee is passionate about our market and we continue to work together on ways to make it even better,” Pearsall said.
