MOUNT VERNON – April 7, 2023 – Downtown’s Public Square will once again be the location for the popular Mount Vernon Farmers Market in 2023 beginning May 6th. The market has been a gathering place on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon from May through October for 20 years.
Dozens of vendors will offer freshly grown vegetables, herbs, maple syrup and honey as well as cut flowers, plants and baked goods, nut brittle, unique jellies and herb mixes, and personal care products made from goat milk.
All the products offered at the market are grown or produced within 25 miles of the square making it a truly local shopping experience. Vendors are happy to share information about what they grow or sell and even offer recipes or cooking tips.
The market makes every effort to offer high quality products. All produce vendors are required to attend GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) training to learn the proper way to plant, fertilize, water and maintain their crops. Cottage food vendors are required to label what they sell listing the weight and ingredients. OSU Extension Knox County works with the market to ensure all requirements are met.
Shoppers of all income levels are welcome. Those utilizing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can bring their card to the market booth at the base of the monument to receive shopping tokens. SNAP benefits are matched with Produce Perks tokens up to $25. Starting in June seniors age 60 and older can use Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons that can be obtained from the Ohio Area Agency on Aging District 5 in Mansfield.
Also starting in June the Knox County Task Force for Older Adults will again offer their Eat Fresh, Eat Local tokens. $10 worth of the program’s tokens will be distributed to Knox County residents age 60 or older each week for fruits and vegetables, while supplies last.
Later in the season parents can use WIC coupons at the market for fruits and vegetables.
Follow the market on Facebook and Instagram for weekly updates. The Market is featured on the first Friday of each month on WMVO radio’s AM Knox County program at 10 a.m. on 1300 AM, 100.9 FM and online at wmvo.com.