What do bratwurst, tornado-strength winds, the League of Women voters, and young jazz musicians have in common? They’ve all made an appearance at the Ferguson Farmers’ Market in recent years.
Staying strong and vibrant in the face of adversity has become something of a hallmark of the Ferguson Farmers’ Market, which celebrates its 20th season this week. Nothing has been able to keep down this volunteer-led market, not social unrest, not battering storms, not even a worldwide pandemic.
Since its inception, the focus has been on local farmers and locally raised produce, meat, and eggs. Over 20 seasons, these mainstays have been complemented by chef demonstrations, perennially popular cooking and baking contests, samples from local restaurants, and themed events such as the annual GermanFest that showcases German food and music.
In 2002, City of Ferguson staff, the Ferguson Special Business District (FSBD), and a group of volunteers spearheaded the effort to establish a farmers’ market - with the twin goals of promoting the city and encouraging healthy eating. FSBD offered to manage the market, and the city donated the use of its newly developed Victorian Plaza on Saturday mornings. City staff then sent out invitations to farmers within a 50-mile radius to attend a planning meeting. Fifteen showed up.
That first year the market launched with just 6 to 8 tents and two volunteers. In very little time, the number of vendors grew to 50, a market manager was hired, and 20 volunteers arrived every week at 5am to set up tents. In the years since, the Ferguson Market has been recognized by the National Farmers Market Association and won several Readers Choice Awards at Sauce Magazine’s annual Saucy Soiree.
In 2019, the city assumed management of the market from the FSBD after several years of staff turn-over and the turmoil that followed the death of Michael Brown. They established a Farmers’ Market Commission with the goal of rebuilding the market’s vendor and customer base. Today, the market is managed by Mary Haux and operates out of the 501 Plaza, at the intersection of Florissant Road and Suburban Avenue. A committed group of volunteers continues to set up and break down the market each week.
In 2020, the Commission discussed delaying opening day until mid-summer due to the COVID pandemic but opted instead to open in May but with fewer vendors and strict adherence to CDC and St. Louis County health guidelines for masking and social distancing. Attendance grew throughout the season, and the market flourished. This year, they built on that success and doubled the number of vendors. Surveys indicate that visitors come from all over the region.
EarthDance, an organic farm and school located in Ferguson, has been a long-time vendor and partner to the market. Other current farmers and growers include Missouri Honey (another long-time vendor), Howie Farms (seasonal produce), Alpacas of Troy (meats and wool items), Delhi Sustainable Farms (grass-fed beef and chicken), Voss Pecans, Bridge Bread (a nonprofit, south-side bakery that hires and trains individuals experiencing homelessness), and Mandi’s Microgreens and Mushrooms.