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Hernando Today

Farmer's market keeps 'em coming

HT photo by BOB EAST III

Rolo Manchaca right helps a customer at the Beasley Farm booth at the "Saturday at the Market."

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: June 21, 2009

Updated: 06/22/2009 05:22 pm

BROOKSVILLE - Lark Napier was one of about six people who committed to the cause that first week.

The downtown area needed a farmer's market, he thought. He didn't care whether anyone else set up a booth along the block. He knew he wanted to take part.

"I told Lisa and John (Callea) at the time that I didn't care if I was the only one here," Napier said. "I said, 'Build it and they will come.' ... It's Brooksville's field of dreams. That's it. It works."

The Callea own and manage the Rising Sun Cafe, located mere yards from the weekly farmer's market along Main Street in front of the courthouse. They have taken charge to boost business and increase foot traffic through downtown.

They came up with the idea of starting a farmer's market and began soliciting interest from local growers and vendors.

A few of those who started selling their products one year ago are still there today. The same goes for the customers.

"There's fresh produce here and good prices. It's right for a small town," said Heather Whisler, of Brooksville, who was accompanied by her mother.

The two of them visit the market at least once per month, they said.

"We want to support local farmers," Whisler said.

The crowd on Saturday showed up earlier than normal, likely to beat the scorching heat that was expected by mid-morning.

Napier, who owns three organic farms, said his asparagus, corn and mangos sold out in less than two hours.

The scene Saturday actually resembled a winter and fall crowd. By this time, many residents make their northern voyages in time for the summer.

A depleted shopping pool usually means fewer buyers in June, but dozens of people packed Main Street to find deals on organic fruits and vegetables, not to mention the selections of honey, soaps, books and everything else sold there.

Art Aho sells seafood in the back of his old, brown Dodge pickup truck. The fresh grouper and shrimp are caught off the coast of Yankeetown, he said.

"I think it's good to have this," he said of the farmer's market, where most of the food vendors sell organic, or nonprocessed food. "It's the best thing going. People are getting tired of the junk food. They're getting poisoned and they're sick of it. They're looking for healthy food."

Most of the customers on Saturday are regulars. Joann Beasley, who owns Beasley Farm in Brooksville, always sets up her booth at the northern corner of Main and Broad Streets.

People know where to find her.

"It's more convenient for some of them to come uptown," she said. "When gas prices were high, people would come up here to see me instead of driving to the farm."

She's also discovered that shoppers can be resilient.

There aren't many alternatives choices to supermarket chains in Hernando County, so they will endure the heat, rain or whatever else Mother Nature throws at them if it means picking up a bag of fresh, organic tomatoes.

"A while back it rained three times in one (day)," she said. "People still came out."

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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