New farmers markets slated for Overland, maybe Wildwood
It looks like we’ll see some new farmers markets in the metro area for the upcoming growing season. Overland is shooting for a May 2 start date in the 2500 block of Woodson Road. And at last month’s meeting, the Wildwood city council moved a step closer to authorizing a farmer’s market in the Town Center Plaza near the intersection of Taylor Road and Highway 100. Sauce magazine’s blog reported earlier this month that the market is a done deal with a May 9 start date, but the latest minutes on the City of Wildwood site only indicate that the council has authorized final legislation to be drafted by its Department of Planning.
Several sources in the local farmers and food communities have also cited talk of a midweek farmers market adjacent to the new Straub’s in Ellisville.
The unanswered questions are what percentage of vendors at these markets will be local growers; and whether these new markets will reflect an expansion of availability of local produce or will result in farmers relocating from existing markets to these new ones. Stay tuned.
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Joe Bonwich has been the restaurant critic for the Post-Dispatch since 2002 and has covered the local food scene for various publications for more than 25 years. He does his best to maintain his anonymity so that he isn't recognized in restaurants (which is why his picture looks like it does). 
Let’s hope someone figures out that farmer’s markets don’t always need to be held on Saturday morning. That prep work on developing markets that reflects the community can take an enormous amount of time. There are differences between growers only, broker markets, mixed markets, food & craft markets. And each has it’s own character.
Joe, anyone getting into running a farmer’s market surely has an expertise in the mix of participants necessary for destination shoppers. Each entity will figure out what it takes to design, organize and manage a market.
More may be better. It’ll be interesting to see what develops.
I think it is funny that Wildwood wants a farmers market. Wildwood and places like it were, until very recent, FARM LAND! Ha! Now you want the farmers you forced out to personally bring you food. You freaks are too much.
The Overland Farmers Market management committee has developed clear rules regarding the split between local farmers/growers (80%) and resellers (20%). To avoid unfair competition, all resellers are required to not sell anything that is being sold by our local growers. We’re also allowing local community groups to have food related activities at the Overland Farmers Market (OFM) and will be having entertainment to help create a community focused festival atmoshpere.
We’re excited about all the community support, sponsorships and positive feedback from farmers. Expect an exciting May 2nd opening!
I am amazed that the city of Wildwood feels the need to be involved in a farmers market. What about all the bussinesses that have paid thousands and some tens of thousands of dollars(myself included) for permits,TGA’s, Legal fees, Eng. and Architectural fees, and more? Who will collect and/or monitor the sales tax from the vendors? Will the city continue to advertise this venture in the “Wildwood Gazette” (our tax dollars)? The city of Wildwood(as well as the Federal Goverment) has no bussiness being in bussiness. Who pays the electic bills? Who pays for the increased parking and traffic concerns? And why should the city promote themselves in direct competition with the exsisting hard-working bussinesses that have paid their share? Zick
As far as the increase in farmers markets in the St. Louis area - GREAT
As far as the increase in farmers markets in the St. Louis area - GREAT! The more access to fresh and healthy food, the better off we all are.
And I see from Greg’s comment that the Overland Farmers Market will aim for a healthy percentage of the vendors to be local growers - wonderful.
However, as a farmers market shopper and especially as a soon-to-be farmer, I am disappointed that both these cities opted for Saturday mornings to be their time of commerce. Are there enough local farmers to go around on this popular market day?
(As you point out Joe and Julie.)
It is my hope that the cities of Wildwood and Overland not only support the creation of new farmers MARKETS, but also the education of new FARMERS! Our farming population has drastically declined in the last few decades; small farmers are aging and/or getting out of the business! It’s time for young wanna-be farmers to be taught how to grow food for our communities. Luckily, plenty of folks DO want to grow food, as evidenced by the great response our organization, EarthDance, has had to its inaugural organic farming apprenticeship program: http://www.earthdancefarms.org
Hopefully we’ve learned by now that we can’t depend on China to grow all of our country’s food. Farmers markets are a step in the right direction, but it’s people not the market, that will make the difference.