Exploring the Winter Farmers’ Market

Photo Credit: Winter Market

Photo Credit: Winter Market

Macy Fowler

Held by the Northern Colorado Food Cluster, the Winter Farmers’ Market brings you over 40 different vendors every other Saturday. The Opera Galleria creates a friendly atmosphere to check out the fresh and local veggies, fruit, meat, seafood, pastries, candles, kombucha, jams, cheese, granola, bagels, and much more. Here is a list of all of the vendors and where they normally are placed. They even have a vendor who you’re able to buy treats from for your dog. Sadly, because of the Health Administration, non-service animals are not allowed in the Galleria.  However, a woman who owns Tired Dog, Happy Owner will watch dogs for people who want to browse the market. You can enjoy a nice, warm cup of coffee from either Cafe Richesse or Cranked Up Coffee.

Eric Whittington is the owner of By Eric and sells jams, jellies, pies, and other confections. Whittington was brought to the market, “in hopes of sharing the delicious confections with other people and creating different recipes for those to enjoy. I want to share my culture of cooking as I grew up.” Whittington is a people person, saying, “the customers are my favorite part about the market. They’re local people who appreciate the hard work we artisans put into our products. If they aren’t here, then we can’t sell.”

Scott Compton runs the booth Joon Kombucha. Kombucha is a healthy fermented black or green tea that can be lightly flavored. “Being able to stay in front of people in both the winter and summer is what mainly brought me to the Winter Market,” says Compton. While pouring a cup of kombucha, Compton remarked, “My favorite part of the market is that I get to meet all of the other vendors and trying new things. I enjoy working with other vendors and creating friendships over time.”

The next upcoming market is on Saturday, December 30, from 9am-3pm, where you can enjoy live music as you shop. The market schedule resumes as every other Saturday and goes to April 7. After December, the market continues at its normal time of 9am-1pm. You can find the rest of the dates here. Come, stop by and support your local businesses while spending some time in Old Town.