by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Market Monday is now also Market Thursday.
The farmers’ market in Sartell debuted Thursday, June 11 at CentraCare Health Plaza, on part of the parking lot next to the Coborn Cancer Center. The plaza is in St. Cloud just across the road from south Sartell.
Market Monday started in Sartell about five years ago, the brain-child of Amy Braig-Lindstrom, who is now a Sartell City Council member. Braig-Lindstrom was inspired to start the market because of memories of her and her mother at the farmers’ market in Dubuque, Iowa; and later, farmers’ markets in New York and the American Southwest.
Market Monday was originally next to the Bernick’s Arena in Sartell. Later it was moved to the grounds of Sartell City Hall, where it remains open every Monday from 3-6 p.m. During recent winters, the market has also been open for business inside the city-hall council chambers and lobby.
The Market Thursday venue at CentraCare Plaza will be open every Thursday from 2-6 p.m.
The debut market June 11 at the plaza attracted a good number of people – many of them loyal fans of Market Monday, and many newcomers who heard about or just happened to see the market tents.
There was a bounty of fresh springtime produce at Market Thursday, including many vegetables, cooking oils, meats, dairy products, jellies, teas, herbs, artisan breads, kettle corn and more.
Bright, shiny bell peppers – grown in Albany – are just some of the many fresh veggies offered for sale at the Sartell Farmers’ Market.
Big, plump radishes, fresh from the garden, are always a hit with shoppers at Sartell Farmers’ Market.
Bundles of asparagus await buyers at the Sartell Farmers’ Thursday Market.
Patricia McLaird, a volunteer at CentraCare Health Plaza, entertains visitors to the Sartell Thursday Farmers’ Market, which debuted its new Thursday venue at CentraCare Plaza June 11.
Chuck Long of Milaca is one of many vendors at the Sartell Farmers’ Market, which debuted at its new Thursday venue June 11 – the CentraCare Health Plaza in St. Cloud, just across the road from south Sartell. The market (also known as Market Monday) will still set up shop outside Sartell City Hall every summer Monday. Long, whose business is dubbed Greenbush Farms, has been selling at six farmers’ markets for eight years. “I love it,” he said. “I love interacting with the people who come to the markets.”
