Closer to the table
Local foods trend at farmers' markets, adds to income in state, hopes for jobs
Local foods trend at farmers' markets, adds to income in state, hopes for jobs

By Debbie Blossom

Published: August 16, 2008

As more people turn to farmers' markets to sell their products, this national and state trend could mean more jobs in the future for growers and sellers.

The state has nearly 1,000 producers, and that represents a 30 percent to 40 percent increase from five years ago, said Jack Carson with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

And the number of farmers' markets has enjoyed a growth spurt this year, increasing from 28 in 2007 to 49.

And, while the state doesn't have a count of the number of jobs those mostly weekend operations have created, "It sure has helped people with secondary incomes,” said Justin Whitmore, a market development coordinator with agriculture department who focuses on farmers' markets.

From hobby farmers to full-time growers, selling everything from seasonal produce and eggs to cheese and bread at outdoor farmers' markets is becoming more and more popular, Carson said.

"It's a national phenomenon, and I will tell you, we've watched these farmers' markets grow, and yes, people are putting their children through college doing this,” he said. "And then we have people who are supplementing their retirement income.”

Even if they're not full-time farmers, the vendors at Tulsa's Cherry Street Farmers Market are serious about their mission to sell Oklahoma grown products, said market manager Kim Smith.

"They're not there just making gas money,” said Smith, citing a number of longtime sellers who travel halfway across the state to man a booth at the 11-year-old market every Saturday through the first of October.

For the owners of Wagon Creek Creamery in Helena, just northwest of Enid, farmers' markets are a good way to expose consumers to the butter, yogurt and cheeses they produce after adding a creamery three years ago to their dairy and grass-fed beef operation.

Barbara and Ron Crain have hired four part-time workers to help handle the workload. "It's more than Ron and I can do on our own,” Barbara Crain said.

Stockbroker-turned-farmer Susan Burgen also requires extra help at her farm just north of Stratford where she grows fruits and vegetables year-round.

She hires nine summer workers to supplement the five full-time employees to man displays at several farmers' markets and a large produce stand.

And business has increased at the produce stand this year, Burgen said, thanks to more people doing things closer to home.

In the past several years, Carson said, farmers' market producers have been making a larger percentage of their income from the products they make. "As they grow, we could see some significant employment,” he said.

Transportation costs continue to affect the prices of food at grocery stores, and consumers have become more concerned about where their food is coming from, he added. "The trend toward local foods I believe is going to continue.”

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