Neither a gusting wind nor a gaggle of politicos daunted the crowd that turned out at New Harvest for first day of the 2018 market season.
Some 20 vendors had their wares on display at the park (4775 New Harvest Lane, off Washington Pike next to the Target shopping center), providing a tempting display of cool weather produce as well as homemade baked goods, farm-raised meats, fresh squeezed lemonade, shave ice, hand-made jewelry and crafts plus a wide variety of young plants ready to be set out in spring gardens.
The healthy opening day crowd wasn’t deterred by the candidates and campaign workers who lined the driveway with signs (the community center is an early voting site) and stationed themselves in the parking lot to shake and howdy. The day had the feeling of an old-time county fair.
Tammy Zavels, of Zavels Family Farms, fought the gusts that were trying to blow away her hand-lettered signs. The Zavels family grows their veggies year-round in high tunnels, which are unheated greenhouses that extend their growing season.
Jana Graziano of Clear Springs Farm brought strawberry and lavender plants, baby fruit trees and a wide selection of herbs. She said that’s just the beginning of what she’s got going in her five 45-foot greenhouses. Watch for heirloom vegetables and pollinating perennials as the weather warms up.
The market will be in business every Thursday through mid-November, 3-6 p.m.