JOSH DAVIS/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Fresh, local produce highlights the Berlin Farmer’s Market on Artisans Green. The event, begun in June, has grown in popularity each week and was recently extended through October. Hours are Sundays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor
(Sept. 6 2018) The Berlin Farmers Market on Artisans Green last week announced an extension of the season through October.
Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells on Aug. 29 posted the question on Facebook as to whether the market, originally only scheduled through September, should remain open longer.
The results were overwhelmingly positive.
“I think it was pretty clear that folks wanted to continue, and I had already spoken to the farmers and the vendors and they all wanted to keep going,” Wells said.
The market was launched in June after a previous farmer’s market at the Berlin Fire Company parking lot ended earlier this year.
“It’s kind of blown away my expectations. Usually, when you start something in the first year, it’s kind of slow and you’ve gotta give it a chance,” Wells said. “I still feel that this farmer’s market has more potential, but we’re off to a great start.”
Wells tracked attendance by handing out reusable shopping bags and said she was floored by the results.
“I kept running out of bags – and I had 1,000 bags!” Wells said. “I wanted it to be for the locals – and the locals definitely came out to show their support – but I was actually surprised by the amount who drove just to come to this farmer’s market.”
About seven or eight vendors attended during opening day, June 17, but that number quickly grew to almost 20 sellers each week. At present, items range from local produce and seafood, to fresh-baked breads, canned jams and jellies, homemade soaps and lotions, jewelry, and even local wine and spirits.
Also included are petting zoos, children’s story time, and weekly live music acts.
Wells expects the market to continue to grow when it returns next year, with an expansion likely into the adjacent public parking area.
“There were a lot of farmers that I wanted to have here, but the problem was that they wanted to actually sell out of their vehicles and there really wasn’t room for that here,” she said. “Next year, we’re going to allow some space next to Artisans Green for more farmers who need to sell out of their truck.”
The Berlin Farmer’s Market runs on Sundays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Artisans Green, a small road based behind Fin’s Alehouse and Raw Bar on Main Street.
For more information, call 410-629-1722 or visit www.facebook.com/theberlinfarmersmarket or www.BerlinMainStreet.com/farmersmarket.