The first day of spring may be March 20, but spring hasn’t really sprung until the first farmers’ markets of the season open. Tulsa’s largest and most popular, Cherry Street Farmers’ Market, will open April 6 with dozens of vendors selling everything from fresh vegetables and fruits and meats to baked goods and homemade wares. Melanie Hunter, program coordinator for the Market, says there will be around 75 vendors this year, and with the addition of a few new ones, there will be different products that haven’t been offered before. Though Oklahoma is still in the grips of a legendary drought, Hunter says the effects of that on the vendors at this year’s market are yet to be seen.
“As far as I know, (the drought) will not affect the variety of products offered at market, though it may affect how much of any given product a vendor may be able to bring to market,” she says.
The Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City farmers’ market is open year-round, and according to coordinator Cheryl Camp, the spring market season will begin April 6, with the weekday market, which runs each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., beginning on May 15. “At this time, 40 vendors are signed up for 2013,” says Camp. “This number will change from week to week, as certain local crops come in, finish, or a vendor is between crops. Throughout a calendar year, vendors with specialty crops, such as peaches or blueberries, may come and go, so we can have as many as 60 vendors in a year.” Cherry Street Farmers’ Market is located on 15th Street and Peoria; hours are 7 to 11 a.m. OSU-OKC Farmers’ Market is located at Fourth Street and Portland; hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For other farmers’ markets, visit www.okgrown.com
