Cassville Democrat: Story: ON THE STREET (07/11/08)

Have you seen an increase in sales of your produce or items due to the higher food prices?

Our sales have increased a lot this year. I would say about 95% more. We think it has to do with higher food prices in the stores. We have fresher produce and better prices. Everything is picked the night before.

Glenna Steele and

Kay Hayes, Cassville

Sales have been good. The weather has hurt us a little this year, too wet and not enough sun. But we have peaches this year. This is a new produce that we are offering. We plan to have lots of variety this year all the way through September. We will have peaches, apples, plums, sweet corn and grapes.

Dalton Brown, Wheaton

Yes. Our sales have increased. We put up new signs and that really helped. People want fresh produce. I have Wayne Bickford's honey to sell. He has bee hives all over this countryside. I also offer farm fresh eggs and quail eggs. They sell really well.

Walter Hasler

The last couple of weeks has been really good. Sometimes we sell more than we expect to. The signs that we put up make a big difference.

Alice Leverich and

Sherry Tucker

I just started today. It's been a late year this year. The produce just wasn't ready, probably because there wasn't enough sun. I have been coming to this market since 1983. I enjoy making crocheted booties and rag dolls. It has been tough to keep the squirrels and other little animals out of the nuts on my property this year.

Janet Heatherly

Yes. We definitely are selling better. The signs have helped. We really enjoy all the people coming by and just visiting.

Eula Mae Mills

Yes, the last couple of weeks. Yes, I think people just want to buy local. I think there is better flavor in our produce.

John Potter

FARMERS MARKET: The Garden Sass farmers market, located in the Cassville City Park behind MFA, is open from 7 to 11 a.m on Tuesday and Friday. The market runs from April through October. Stop by and get the fresh produce, canned items, hand crafts and visit with some wonderful people while you are there.

Do any of you have fresh tomatoes yet?

-- Posted by demoeditor on Fri, Jul 11, 2008, at 2:11 PM

I taste tested the zucchini relish from Glenna and Kay, really good.

-- Posted by tlrichards on Sat, Jul 12, 2008, at 10:40 AM

yes, tomato's are beginning. Walt has had a few

already. A person has to get there early in

order to have a choice of produce that is in

short supply. Tomato's should be plentiful soon.

-- Posted by daleverich on Sat, Jul 12, 2008, at 6:36 PM

Farmers markets are wonderful and I fully believe in buying local whenever possible but there are so many people that are missing out here because the Cassville Garden Sass is not open on Saturday mornings. You may even have more vendors if you were open on Saturdays or at least two Saturdays out of the month would be better than nothing. This town has so many working at the factories that start before 7 A.M. 5 days a week and the people do not get the chance to shop your market. I know people who drive to Fayettville on Saturday to attend their market.

-- Posted by BC4U on Mon, Jul 14, 2008, at 7:53 AM

My Heirloom tomatoes will be ready in a couple weeks, also I will have more green beans shortly, I will also have Rhubarb most of the summer as the conditions this year are good to great.

I will also be there to sell my leather work and to take custom orders, Right now I am selling on Friday's but hope to have enough to sell on Tuesdays as soon as I get the product.

John Potte Sr

-- Posted by potterfarm on Mon, Jul 14, 2008, at 9:45 AM