MORGANTOWN — While some make a run to Kroger or Aldi after work, people in the Cheat Lake area got the chance to grab some groceries at this year’s first Cheat Lake Farmer’s Market in front of Chestnut Ridge Church.
Mondays from 4-7p.m. the market will offer fresh local fare to customers. The market started in 2009 as an endeavor of the local nonprofit Human-Animal Bond, Inc. The market will go to mid-October, said Katie Fallon, the market’s manager. The market will usually host between 8 to 10 vendors that will change throughout the season.
Michael Downs came to the first market of the season on a mission for zucchini. He said he comes every year.
“We try to come every week and try to pick up a few staples. You get to know and become friends with people selling,” said Downs.
Willy Sines of Sines Family Farm near Point Marion, Pa is a staple at each year’s market. As the season goes on he’ll get tomatoes and white cucumbers. Monday he had squash and other goods. He also said he will have sugar snap peas which are always very popular.
“Our lettuce is cheaper than Wal-Mart. Actually, it’s less than half the price of what Wal-Mart sells for now and it’s picked the same day,” said Sines.
Other vendors included Hilton Farms out of Smithfield, Pa, Sam’s Plants, and newcomers Ringer Farms out of Bruceton Mills. John Umstead from Independence, WV was giving out samples of microgreens that he grows himself. His interest started when he became heath conscience and wanted more variety in his green smoothies.
“They’re so healthy, and they’re an option too for people especially in urban areas. That’s one of the reasons microgreens got going in popularity,” said Umstead.
Fallon said the market is still sponsored by the Human-Animal Bond, Inc. The non-profit sponsors the Hearts of Gold service dog program that WVU students work with.
“Now we’re still really early in the season for produce. We’ve got kale and lettuce mostly and then as the summer goes on we get more,” said Fallon.
Fallon said she gets really excited about going home and cooking up her finds from the market. She said it never seems like the first market day comes soon enough.
“I’m very excited. I always love the market,” she said.
