Photo courtesy of Ann’s Raspberry Farm
It might be the norm for attendees of the New Albany Farmers Market to leave with some items for the coming week’s meals, but this time around, patrons will have the opportunity to fill their bellies while they shop.
For the first time in its history, the market will feature about five food trucks and food carts in its merchant line-up each week. Local mobile food outlets such as Pitabilities, Mojo TaGo, Blu Olive and En Place will attend, rotating every other week to maintain variety.
Market organizer Kristina Jenny noted that, while the event is normally oriented toward serving healthful products, attendees can be health-conscious while eating food trucks’ fare.
“We oscillate between local and healthy. Some people eat hot dogs and are perfectly healthy,” she says.
In addition to the food trucks, the market will have live musical guests during its run. Local group Twisted Trumpets, the New Albany Chorus and a community children’s choir will perform onstage.
Nearby on the greenspace, the first Arts on the Green will take place, with merchants selling soaps, candles and other handcrafted art.
Also new this year is increased parking availability. In past seasons, transformative construction projects in the surrounding area have limited the number of spots for participants, but now there are hundreds of spots available, Jenny says.
Each year, the market offers a table and tent to a local nonprofit to promote its work in the area. In the past, market patrons have seen the likes of Habitat for Humanity, Village Coalition Against Hunger and New Albany Symphony Orchestra join in to advertise their causes.
In the spirit of shared community enterprise, one aspect of the New Albany Farmers Market is its commitment to volunteer support. It invites anyone who seeks to get involved with community service to help out; the market is unique in the volunteer assistance it offers merchants assembling tents and setting out wares.
Anyone from high school students to members of the business community can become involved, and organizers encourage volunteers to wear shirts featuring their business’ logos.
“It’s important to us that the people who plant the seeds and nourish them are the people who are selling them, and that we support them,” says Jenny.
The farmers market will take place each Thursday from 4-7 p.m., June 18-Sept. 17. Those who would like to volunteer can find more information by visiting www.healthynewalbany.org/get-involved, emailing manager@nafarmersmarket.com or calling 614-390-2733.
Zach Maiorana is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com
