The fresh sweet corn, bright red tomatoes and colorful flowers draw customers who not only get wholesome food for their table but support the area’s farmers.

“The community can support the local provider and build a sense of community,” said Melanie Ramsey, manager of the Hollidaysburg market. “There is no competition in farmers markets.”

Healthy, local products

Based in Williamsburg, Blue Barn Farm was found at Tuesday’s market in Hollidaysburg. They also have a booth at the Altoona market on Thursdays.

Mary Lou Zimmerman of The Posie Patch holds a bouquet of cut flowers for sale at the Hollidaysburg farmers market. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow

Tim Wilson and his wife, Karen Wilson, bought their farm in 2013. Since then, they have been growing their own produce and offering a “pick your own berries” option for customers.

“People seem to be very thankful for the fresh, local vegetables that we are able to produce,” said Tim Wilson, who was manning the farm’s booth.

Wilson added that it “makes me feel good to give people something healthy.”

Providing the community with healthier food alternatives is a common trend among vendors, such as Mandisa Horn, owner of Horn O Plenty freshtaurant.

At the farmers market, just like in her restaurant, Horn uses produce grown at the family farm, operated by her husband, Jeff. They also raise their own beef, lamb and chickens and have farm-fresh eggs.

Mary Lou Zimmerman of The Posie Patch picks cut flowers out of her water bucket at the Hollidaysburg farmers market. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow

While they have a lot of their own crops and livestock, they also partner with local farmers to source other products.

“It’s a network,” Horn said. “Each of us has something different to offer.”

Not only are healthier foods available at local markets but natural cleaning and hygiene products are as well.

Owner of Blue Knob Farm, Emma Kennedy sells natural, chemical-free and dye-free products — ranging from hair serum to natural deodorant. At the Hollidaysburg market, she shares a tent with her mother, Rhonda Smith, who sells artisan tea from The Skirted Soldier.

The all-natural, chemical-free products have been popular with marketgoers, Smith said.

Aarika Price of Vibes and Vines shows customers a handmade bracelet at the Bedford farmers market. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow

Kennedy said she began delving into all natural products after being diagnosed with celiac disease, Lyme disease and other health-related illnesses.

Because many hygiene products contain wheat, the mother and daughter duo resorted to making their own products instead.

“And people said ‘hey, I’d like that too,’ so we bring our line here,” Smith said.

Kennedy and Smith work to source their ingredients from Pennsylvania and from veterans. The Skirted Soldier also donates 10% of every purchase to an organization that supports female veterans.

Finding healthier and fresh products is what brings out many marketgoers.

Local artist and musician Kevin Kutz plays his mandolin at the Bedford gazebo during the Bedford farmers market on Wednesday. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow

Jim Barnes, shopping at the Bedford market on Wednesday, said that he and his wife “know what they’re eating, especially organic, which is awesome.”

Block party feel

The atmosphere is another draw farmers markets have, especially for those looking for a unique shopping experience.

Local artist and musician Kevin Kutz played the mandolin while Jeff Ziegler played the fiddle Wednesday in the gazebo on the Public Squares in Bedford, the site of the weekly farmers market.

Ziegler said music at the market “gets kids dancing, which makes me smile.”

Musical performances are part of the atmosphere at local farmers markets, including a ukulele performance by Ramsey and Pat Baeckle at the Hollidaysburg farmers market. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow

Kutz described their music as “organic” because it does not require amps or microphones.

“They like us because they can’t hear us,” Kutz said with a chuckle.

Ukulele players Ramsey and Pat Baeckle provided music Tuesday at the Hollidaysburg market, where Ramsey said music gives a farmers market a “block party aspect.”

“It’s where everyone says, ‘come here and talk with me,'” she said.

More than farm produce

Tea towels, leather key fobs, pot holders, earrings, charm bracelets and more — all handmade — are often found at farmers markets.

“A farmers market, when you think of it, is for produce,” said Claudia Grove, owner of Claudia’s Crafts. “But I’m here because what I’m making you can use in your kitchen.”

With a grin, her husband Chris Grove added, “my key fobs … you have to use car keys so you can drive your car to the farmers market to buy her stuff.”

The couple’s booth at the Hollidaysburg market is more a “hobby” than a business, Claudia said, noting they are both retired and currently live in Sinking Valley.

At a nearby booth, the Posie Patch, Mary Lou Zimmerman and Sheryl Martin pick and arrange flowers for customers, creating colorful bouquets from a wide variety of blooms.

“Flowers bring out the best in people,” said Zimmerman, adding that people are happy when they get a bouquet.

“I don’t think there’s another job where you see so many happy people,” she said.

Bringing the community together

Ally Yarnell, 17, has been shopping at the Bedford farmers market for a while, especially because her mother, Jen Yarnell, owns Jenny’s Sweet Treats.

She believes the market is fun because there are “a lot of vendors” and she sees “lots of friends” there.

“Bringing the community together” is what Emma Brown, 15, thinks farmers markets do for the local area.

Wednesday afternoon, she was at the Bedford market with her mother, Meghan Brown, as well as her sister, Izzy, 13.

Meghan said farmers markets give “local people a chance to get their stuff out there,” adding that it is a “platform where they never normally would get to do that.”

It is also an enjoyable place to bring the family, said Lori and Brad King, who enjoyed the Bedford market with their two grandsons, Jack Wilson, 5, and Chase Wilson, 3.

Jack said they came to the Bedford farmers market on Wednesday to “have fun.”

Socializing is another great benefit from visiting a market, according to Lori King, who added that kids (of all ages) can be outside and get fresh air.

Farmers markets “stand for what our community is all about, farming and supporting our farmers,” she said.

This year, Morrisons Cove opened a farmers market at Morrisons Cove Memorial Park.

Although it is their first season, park Executive Director Chuck Gojmerac said the community has been supportive.

“We like to offer a variety of programs (at the park,) and a farmers market compliments Blair County,” Gojmerac said.

Claudia Grove believes farmers markets are important because “the community comes here and helps support (local farmers) and their livelihood.”

“Without the farmer, you don’t have any food,” she said.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.

Local artist and musician Kevin Kutz (left) plays the mandolin while Jeff Ziegler plays the fiddle Wednesday in the gazebo on the Public Squares at the Bedford farmers market. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow

A customer makes a purchase at the Blue Barn Farm stand at the Hollidaysburg farmers market. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow