Growers market promotes organic, regional products | News, Sports, Jobs - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

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The Williamsport Grower’s Market is continuing to offer local and organic produce to area residents.

The grower’s market is a locally organized bazaar of area produce and foods. The board of directors, headed by President Heather Griggs, insists on a high integrity from vendors.

“We are 100 percent made and grown Pennsylvania produce,” Griggs said. “We limit our vendors and hold them accountable to Pennsylvania-made. They all grow their own produce, and make their own food.”

While other markets in central Pennsylvania might be bigger, the Williamsport Grower’s Market insists on purity of its produce. Meaning, it does not accept produce bought at auctions — everything must be local-grown and organic, Griggs said.

One such example of a farmer who has excelled in meeting the market’s objective is Ann Nordell, who has sold her produce at the grower’s market for 26 years, and is currently the only vendor with official certification of organic, according to Griggs.

“It takes a high level of focus and attention,” Griggs said.

Nordell takes pride in the diversity of products at the market — that from the available foods present, shoppers can obtain a full diet.

“You can almost get your full diet here, with all the food groups present,” Nordell said.

“It brings out diversity of ethnic groups and all ages — especially kids,” Nordell said.

Brenda Aucker, a member of the market’s board of directors, sells honey there, among plenty of other items.

“You know the farmers who sell here put their heart and soul into it,” she said.

Aucker also said many area restaurants and businesses purchase food from the vendors present at the market, ensuring their ingredients and food are local and organic.

Because of the seasonal nature of the market, vendors and produce rotate out depending on who is growing what. When a vegetable goes out of season, more flower vendors may be inserted in.

Aucker said that fact makes it more meaningful for market goers to come more than once.

“If you come once, you haven’t experienced it all,” Aucker said.

Despite the pandemic’s wave of shutdowns and economic uncertainty last spring, the market thrived, according to Griggs.

“In general, it affected the market positively. Our governor declared outdoor farmers markets essential. Also, people who were not comfortable with grocery stores came to the market,” Nordell said.

Griggs explain that when the supply chain failed and grocery stores and supermarkets ran out of certain products, local vendors at the Grower’s Market found a niche in providing what brand name shopping centers could not.

“We were the only place to go — our vendors had the best year last year,” Griggs said. “When you don’t buy local, they won’t be there when the grocery store runs out.”

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