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Harrison Barden

From vendors hosting free-range eggs to locally made chocolates, the Mill City Farmers Market collaborates with the Mill City Museum to present monthly winter farmers markets.

The market takes place in the common area of the Mill City Museum and hosts more than 40 vendors, including small farmers and local food artisans.

Maggie Mountain, Mill City Farmers Market program manager, said the market aims to bring together the community in support of local and small farmers.

“The vast majority (of farmers) are from the Twin Cities area,” Mountain said. “Everyone is bringing their own raised products from animals or veggies produced by them.”

Mountain said the market is unique because it is one of the only markets in town that focuses exclusively on local, sustainable and organic agriculture.

“We have always been trying to communicate that all of our farmers are either certified organic or are practicing organically without the certification,” Mountain said.

According to Mountain, many community members request year-round products and small farmers are able to supply these products at this market.

“We have seen a huge increase in people’s desire to know where their food is coming from and who is making it or raising it,” Mountain said. “We wanted to bring the producer to the consumer to create that relationship.”

Mountain said the willingness of the farmers to produce food products year-round makes a winter market a reality for consumers eager to buy produce.

“We have seen a huge increase in the amount of farmers that are extending the season,” Mountain said. “But it is still catching on, people in Minnesota don’t realize that you can grow produce year-round.”

In addition to creating a relationship between farmers and consumers, Mountain also said the market is environmentally friendly.

“Buying locally is so much more sustainable and really cuts down on the impact on the earth,” Mountain said.

Sophomore Owen Geier said he would go to the winter market because of their positive impact on the environment.

“I would go because it supports people like independent farmers around us, and it is probably better for you because not a lot of pesticides are used,” Geier said.

Geier said going to a winter market offers a learning experience for students.

“(Students would go) to learn more about agriculture and how the whole food system works or maybe just because they like to go to farmers markets,” Geier said.

Mountain said the markets offer an interesting experience for students to socialize while learning about how an organic and local food economy functions.

“It is awesome to be able to talk to the vendors and get to know more about them. We build a relationship with them,” Mountain said. “For a high schooler, it is fun to come, grab lunch, hang out and listen to music.”

While raising awareness about the importance of supporting small farmers, Mountain said the markets provide a well-rounded exposure to locally grown food and produce.

“If you are a foodie and you are in high school, it doesn’t matter how old you are, you want to come and check it out,” Mountain said. “They have really great stuff. You can sample a lot of it to see which one you like better.”

The next winter market takes place from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m Feb. 14. The event is free of charge and is open to all. Monthly winter markets will continue until May, when the markets will transition into summer markets.