Anderson farmers market makes healthy foods accessible | News | heraldbulletin.com – The Herald Bulletin
Erica Brown, left, and her son Sebastian inspect the produce from Hodge Family Farm on Saturday morning at the Anderson Farmers Market.
The Herald Bulletin
ANDERSON — Healthy foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables can be inaccessible for those with a fixed income.
Bloom Madison County, the downtown-based organization overseeing the farmers market hosted Saturday mornings in Anderson, seeks to change that.
Shoppers may use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cards to purchase food.
“Anything they would buy in the store, they can buy here,” explained Heidi Freer-Fry, a representative of Bloom.
Justin Benjamin performs Saturday for passersby at the Anderson Farmers Market. Benjamin serenaded shoppers with his trademark mixture of folk and blues, including “Goodnight, Irene.”
Children 12 years old and younger can receive a token for $2 off produce, jam, honey and other products. The goal is to encourage children to eat healthy.
Bloom also supports local entrepreneurs. Local vendors sold handmade soaps, jewelry, plants and other goods Saturday.
The Animal Protection League was represented at the farmers market, as well, with a booth providing information about the local organization’s services and role in the community.
Bloom encourages young entrepreneurs, or “junior vendors,” to participate in events like the farmers market.
Theodore Fry, owner of Plantaholics, is one of those young business people.
Fry started selling painted “pet” rocks in 2018. His business direction quickly changed.
“My mom had the idea of me selling plants at the market, so I did that,” Theodore explained.
He enjoys selling plants because it provides him with income and a chance to overcome his natural shyness.
Haylee Hemp writes prices on her handmade jewelry during the Anderson Farmers Market on Saturday morning.
