August 12th 2023 Farmers Market

August 5^th Market Review

By Paul Bullock & Mary Gates

What a beautiful morning we had for set up in the LHUCA Plaza. We have vendors that come and go. Some opt for a different event and skip a weekend, but we have new vendors showing up every week. This helps to keeps things interesting for us all. This week we had three brand new vendors to welcome aboard. When new vendors show up, it is similar to getting a new kid on the block, which was always great when we were kids! Everybody was aware that the day would be hot, and we braced for whatever it may bring.

Oftentimes the First Friday Art Trail from the previous night can affect both our vendor numbers and the number of shoppers that visit. The start was slow, and of course we sometimes fear the worst, but shoppers began to show up and the Plaza became the busy Market that we are now expecting every time we set up. I like to mention some of the people that I talk with because there is insight in what they have to offer. We had two families who had recently moved to Lubbock, one from Florida and one from Missouri. Much like our Market, Lubbock continues to see folks coming and going, creating change that perhaps we don’t even notice. But I notice those people who stop in weekly and also the new faces. There are always plenty of new people coming to the Market who stop by the Information Booth with questions, while confessing that this is their first time to visit the Market. The Information Booth is also the place to water your animals and start your visit with a sucker for the kids.

Our farmers are really doing well presenting beautiful displays of tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, okra, carrots, onions, radishes and all types of fresh greens. Colorado Peaches is coming, and are bringing peaches, cherries, and apricots. The Caprock Beekeepers Association was back with their honey and plenty of information on the wonderful world of the honey bee. We have several vendors with different types of honey! Those vendors with home kitchens bring sauces and jellies. We are happy to have quite a variety of baked goods with each baker distinctly different from the next. We always take home baked goods! We have two local wine makers to sample. We also have quite a few vendors with great arts and crafts items that make wonderful gifts for any occasion.

This is a family friendly event and we know that our pets are part of the family. We welcome our furry friends and award one dog the title of Tornado Industrial/Arts Dog of the Day. Meet Tootsie. The smile on her face tells you she a real winner! Congratulations Tootsie! We are at the midway point in our Lubbock Downtown Farmers Market season and hope that if you haven’t stopped by that you will join us as we start the second half of our season. You will find us at the LHUCA Plaza at 5^th and Ave. J on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

One of our new vendors is PATINA FLOWER FARM. Sarah Burnett and Abigail Oliver grow their fresh cut flowers in Idalou, and are offerring some of their squash, zucchini, and okra as well. Their growing practices are all organic, and an adjunct to their booth are the organic soil admendments they use made by the company Texas Earth. This company was created 20 years ago by Sarah’s father, who was inspired to heal the soil of the Earth. He created products to infuse microbial life back into the soil, thereby increasing  soil health. Learn more about these products by googling Texas Earth, or by stopping by the Patina Flower Farm booth.

We thank everyone who came out and supported the market and we hope to see you next Saturday at the LHUCA Plaza at 5^th Street & Avenue J from 9:00 AM until 1:PM!