St. Joseph Farmers’ Market closes out season

The St. Joseph Farmers’ Market is approaching the end of its 24th season. This year’s season, which began on May 10, will end on Oct 11. The market takes place on Fridays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Resurrection Lutheran Church parking lot.

Unlike many farmers’ markets, which are typically founded by producers, the St. Joseph Farmers’ Market was started by two community members: Angeline Dufner and Sister Phyllis Plantenberg.

Dufner was an English professor at CSB+SJU for 36 years. Plantenberg taught in the biology department and founded the Common Ground Garden, which provided fresh, chemical-free vegetables at the St. Ben’s Monastery.

These two women came together with a common vision and founded the St. Joseph Farmers’ Market in 2000. Their vision and efforts created the St. Joseph Farmers’ Market for the community and surrounding area.

The market was one of the first farmers’ markets in the area outside of St. Cloud. They also created a board that consisted of both producers and community members.

The current producers on the board are President Shelley Carlson, Vice President Robin Heinen, Treasurer Chris Montan and Randy Maile.

The current community members on the board are Anthony Adams, Secretary Pia Lopez, CSB+SJU faculty member Kyle Rauch and Linda Saupe.

This market allows local producers to connect with local consumers.

“Between 25-30 vendors come in every Friday throughout the peak of the season, and we have been averaging 450 to 550 customers each Friday,” Carlson said..

From juicy tomatoes and crisp apples to homemade bread and artisanal cheeses, the market offers a cornucopia of fresh, locally produced goods.

“We have a variety of things that the vendors sell. We have a meat vendor that sells meat as well as homemade soaps and lotions. We also tend to have local musicians every Friday,” Carlson said.

Buying directly from farmers means consumers get the freshest food possible, as sometimes the food is picked just hours before it is purchased. It also helps reduce farmers’ carbon footprint by cutting down on the distance the food travels.

Another advantage of selling directly to consumers is that farmers can earn a fair price for their hard work, ensuring that small-scale agriculture thrives. This direct connection also allows consumers to learn more about where their food comes from and the people who grow it.

It’s a win-win situation that strengthens the local economy and supports sustainable farming practices. This aligns with the goals the market has for the local community.

The farmers’ market supports fresh, healthy food for local consumers, gives local producers direct contact with their neighbors and buyers and builds community. When selecting vendors, the market gives priority to farmers and producers within a 30-mile radius who bring products to market that are 100% grown, harvested or made on land they own and/or operate.

“The main purpose for the market is to build community relationships by linking the growers to the consumers. These local relationships matter and are essential to what we do,” Carlson said.

The St. Joseph Farmers’ Market fosters a sense of community between consumers and producers. It is a place to meet friends and enjoy live music, as well as participate in activities. The market also has cooking demonstrations and gardening tips.

The benefits of the St. Joseph Farmers’ Market extend beyond the market itself. By attracting visitors to the town, the market helps boost local businesses, from cafes and restaurants to shops and service providers.

This influx of visitors stimulates the local economy and supports the overall vitality of St. Joseph, showing how local initiatives can drive economic growth and resilience.