3 days Ago By Grand Island Independent
Jeff Bahr Grand Island will see its final indoor farmers market on April 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.
m. Twenty vendors are confirmed so far. The indoor markets began in January at Bosselman’s The Hideout, 1607 S.
Locust St., to bridge the time until the outdoor market begins again, with opening day slated for May 24. Both indoor and outdoor markets run from 9 a.
m. to 1 p.m.
Vendors sell items such as flowers, plants, jewelry, beauty products, ice cream, honey, vanilla, popcorn, fudge, lavender, artisan breads, T-shirts and hats. “There’s all kinds of stuff,” says Misty Schaecher, one of the organizers of the farmers market, during the inaugural 2024 season. The outdoor market is on the north side of the parking lot at Bosselman’s corporate offices, 1607 S.
Locust St., and runs until the first week of October. Schaecher, who had the idea for the farmers market, is president of the organization.
She is the co-owner of Lily Rose Fresh Cut Flowers. A farmers market makes sense “because vendors like me need a place to sell their product in order to survive as a business,” Schaecher said. The proceeds from the farmers market will help them “continue to provide local products,” Schaecher said.
This way, vendors won’t have to travel to Omaha or Lincoln, she said. The organization is set up as a nonprofit. “So that way we can apply for things like USDA grants,” Schaecher said.
Many grant opportunities exist for farmers markets, involving such things as education, she said. Another key organizer is Casey Sample, who is event manager for The Venues on South Locust, which faces the parking lot. She is an employee of Bosselman Enterprises.
Charlie Bosselman, the head of Bosselman Enterprises, liked the idea for the farmers market, Sample said. Sample is one of the members at large on the farmers market board. The treasurer of the group is Trisha Scarborough.
The secretary is Ali Anderbery of Anderbery Acres Flower Farm. The finance committee is headed by Marnie Schager-Sundermeier. The other members at large are Tara Miller of Miller Omega Beef and Leslie Probasco of Uprooted Nursery.
The Grand Island Area Farmers Market provides vendors with more space than is available at other local markets. Sample also likes the fact that the farmers market is coordinated and structured so the public knows what to expect..
