BOUNTY OF THE SEASON: Fresh from the farm

Vendors manage to harvest a market day despite rain

Much like the the delivery of the day's mail, neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail could stop the newest Las Vegas Farmers Market at Centennial Hills Park.

"We're out here no matter what," said market organizer Ginger Johnson on a rainy Thursday afternoon at the park. "Even if it's windy or cold. We would like to establish a permanent facility with power and shade, so vendors don't have to worry about set-up or breaking their tents."

The farmers market features fresh fruits and vegetables and a variety of booths where local vendors sell food and crafts. It has been in operation at the park -- its third Las Vegas location -- only two months. Organizers added the location to their weekly market offerings after receiving an invitation from city officials.

"It's been a slow start," Johnson said. "But the community has received us well. How long we will be here depends on the farmers."

The market kicked off at Bruce Trent Park in 1999, where it is still held every Wednesday. A second market, which opened two years ago, takes place each Tuesday at Gardens Park in Summerlin. And Johnson said she hopes to soon add a fourth market at Aliante in North Las Vegas.

"We were inspired by Pike Place Market in Seattle," Johnson said. "My brother is a farmer. I'm a farmer. I have a backyard garden."

But the local desert isn't exactly known for its fruit and vegetable growth potential. The farmers market also counts on out-of-town farmers like Kou Xiong to truck in their freshest goods. Xiong travels from Fresno, Calif., each week to sell his vegetables.

"It's a challenge for him to make the trip," Johnson said, adding that she hopes recruit more local farmers. "Anyone is welcome to participate."

But, Johnson said, so far being a vendor at the farmers market hasn't led anyone to great wealth.

"It's a labor of love," she said. "It's not a big money-maker. Hopefully someday it will be be. People will want to be more involved with their community. It will happen."

Becky Busby is counting on it. She and her husband, Steve Hetblack, have sold hot dogs from their Dawg Daze booth at farmers market for the past month or so.

"I like it because of the friendly atmosphere," said Busby, a former California sexual abuse counselor. "It's outdoors. It's a job, but not a real job."

"It's a lot of physical labor," said Ali Pimentel, who along with her mother, Aurora Dimag, sells boba tea -- made from tapioca -- egg rolls and fried bananas at the farmers market. "But it's great. We love it."

Johnson has big plans for the farmers market. In addition to eventually establishing a permanent location in the valley, she hopes to do more community outreach.

"We're trying to establish a community-sponsored agricultural garden," she said. "We want kids to learn about farming and where their food comes from. We want to work with local land owners to let kids come and work as part of their schooling."

The farmers market at Centennial Hills Park, 7101 N. Buffalo Drive, is every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.LasVegasFarmersMarket.com.


<<--[back]