Wednesday, August 20, 1986
City/Area
University Daily Kansan
7
Market offers breath of fresh air
By Sheri Donaldson Special to the Keeper
Special to the Kansan
Succulent sweet corn, brilliant tomatoes, fat zucchini and golden honey are some of the juicy items found at the Farmer's Market at the 1000 block of Vermont Street.
Vendors sell fresh, locally grown produce and home-baked items at the market from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays. This year the market opened May 10 and will close on Nov. 8.
Dick and Elaine Brauer, Linwood,
sell goods at the market this summer
and grow pumpkins, potatoes,
cucumbers, sweet corn and other
fruits and vegetables. The Brauers
grow the produce on more than 100
acres at their farm.
"I do gardening in my spare time and my son takes care of everything full time," Dick Brauer, realtor, said. "It's a lot of fun to sell at the market." It's like a county fair."
The market started in 1975 when the Douglas County Extension began sponsoring fruit and vegetable competitions downtown. The Douglas County Extension provides agricultural, gardening and homemaking information to the public.
"The Downtown Lawrence Association found out about it and decided to start a type of open-air market where farmers and truckgardeners could sell fresh produce
and homemade baked goods every week," Jim Bateman, president of the DLA, said.
The aroma of freshly cut, sweet basil and other herbs drew many customers to the booth of Marian Horvat, Tonganoxie. Overflowing tables of spearmint and catnip for 25 cents a bunch, $1.50 loaves of applesauce-oatmeal bread, vegetables and lavender and pink zinnia flowers surrounded the busy vendor.
"I certainly can't pass that up for a quarter," one customer said as she handed over 25 cents for a boxful of fresh cucumbers.
Horvat, a 1970s graduate of the School of Journalism, said that she had been selling items at the market for several years.
"I have a good-sized herb and vegetable garden," she said. "Coming here is a good way to get rid of our extra produce." Horvat is a free-lance editor and gives piano lessons in addition to her gardening activities.
To sell items at the market, certain rules must be followed, according to Kala Patterson, manager of the market.
"Produce must be locally grown. And we only allow growers and producers, not retailers," she said. "Basically, vendors can sell produce, honey, plants and homemade baked goods."
About 50 people wandered through the wide aisles of the parking lot, even filled by about 30 vendors. The customers examined tasty items such as big blackberries priced at $2 a pint, sweet Greek baccala honey-nut pastry desserts at four for $1 and 50-cent giant cinnamon rolls.
Lucy Seaver, McLouth, said it was her first shopping visit to the market.
"We wanted to buy some cucumbers. We appreciate the freshness of the produce here," Seaver said.
Several of the produce vendors said they did not use harmful chemical fertilizers or pesticides on their crops.
"I do use a natural bacterial solution on some vegetables that pretty much takes care of the squash bugs and caterpillars," said Bole Lominska of Hoyland Farms in Jefferson County. "But I absolutely do not use chemical fertilizers or pesticides."
Lominska sells honey, beets,
squash and other vegetables raised
on two acres of his farm at the
market.
"use a lot of leaves, grass clippings and manure for fertilizer," he said. "For a natural pesticide, I have ducks who love to eat grasshoppers. And the spiders and ladybugs are great at keeping the rest of the bugs in control."
Raymond and Louise Beach, Rt. 1, pack some fruit for a customer. The Beaches have been selling their produce at the Farmer's Market in the 1000 block of Vermont Street for about five years.
Where you go when you're dressing for a party:
Vintage, Formal Wear & Classic Clothing
732 Massachusetts 843-0611
Mon.-Sat. 11-5:30, Thurs. 11-8 p.m.
Fun clothing—hats—formal wear—vintage from the classic to the latest from funky to formal—it's all right here in downtown Lawrence.
- Balloon Bouquets
Welcome Back, Students!
$2.00off your next haircut.
Haircut
now only $8.00 with this coupon
Guys and Dolls wants to give you
Call for an appointment today
841-8272 2420 Iowa Open Tues.-Sat.
expires Sept. 20,1986 present this coupon at appointment
We can solve your housing needs.
Whether you prefer to live alone or with roommates; we have a place designed withYOU in mind.
Completely furnished studios, 1,2,3,or 4 Br. Apartments
OPEN DAILY 1-5 p.m.
10th & Arkansas
- Rentals from $275/mo.
- Completely furnishec studios 1,2,3 Br
studios, 1, 2 & 3 Br
- Laundry facilities
- Adjacent to KU
749-2415
7th & Florida (West of Sanctuary)
- Rentals from $230/mo.
Coldwater Flats
- Competently furnished
Studios, 1 Br. & 1 Br. w/oft
- Water paid
413 W.14th Street
- On KU bus line
- Laundry facilities
- Completely furnished
- Laundry facilities 841-5255
841-5255
1. 82 Br.
- Rentals from $285/mo.
Located between
14th & 15th on Mass.
• Rentals from $275/mo.
• Completely furnished studios
1 & 2 br.
• Water paid
• Laundry facilities
• Luxury townhomes available
• Close to KU & downtown
841.1212
Hanover Place
Located between 14th & 15th on Mass.
OREAD TOWNHOUSES
- Close to KU 841-1212
- Many great locations all close to K/I
- Rentals from $320/mo.
- Some perfect for up to 4 students.
4 students
841. 1212
841-1212
Summit House
1105 Louisiana
- Completely furnished
- 1 Br. & 1 Br. w/loft
- Rentals from $290/mo.
- Adjacent to KU
- Adjacent to KU 749.2415
Go to HANOVER, SUNDANCE OR TANGLEWOOD rental offices.
Mastercraft Management
842-4455