Farmers markets to open

Peabody and Hillsboro farmers markets will open within the coming week, but nobody has stepped forward to coordinate a farmers market for Marion this year.

Peabody’s market will open for the season from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday in downtown Peabody.

Hillsboro’s will open from 5 to 7 p.m. June 11 at Memorial Park.

Both markets will run through the first week of September.

Peabody vendors will space out tables, wear gloves, and encourage one-way traffic on sidewalks.

Home-baked goods and early-season produce will be available.

“I look forward to seeing everyone and I think people are ready to get out,” produce grower Marti Nellans said.

Vendors at the first Peabody market will offer pies, dinner rolls, cookies and frozen bierrocks along with Nellans’ produce, Graze ’N’ Layz poultry products, and produce and jams by Doris Unruh. Potatoes, onions, and peas will be available.

Community groups will serve meals during June to raise money for Fall Festival on Sept. 21.

Dates in July through September will be available for other church, school, and community groups to offer meal fundraisers.

Two vendors accept farmers market checks available to low-income seniors through the county department on aging.

Craft vendors, fruit and vegetable growers, and musicians interested in participating or community groups wanting to schedule meals are being urged to call (620) 983-2731.

Cait Hall, coordinator for Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce, said Mama C’s will serve dinner at next week’s market.

Meals will be served to go. Visitors are welcome to eat at picnic tables, but the chamber does not plan to sanitize between diners.

“We will have vendors spaced apart and encourage social distancing,” Hall said.

Most farmers market dates already have a fundraiser meal planned, but a couple of dates are still available. Groups wanting to schedule meals are being asked to call the chamber office at (620) 947-3506.