The Owensboro Magazine 2009

Sam Sauer, left, of Stanley, talks with Pleasant Ridge farmer Sally Nash at the Owensboro Regional Farmers Market in the parking lot of Owensboro Christian Church. �� traditional produce we carried, but when they come in to buy beans they also walk out with meat to season the beans,” explained Trunnell. “I have just been amazed to see the community come out and support us and tell us they appreciate what we are doing and they love coming here.” Reid’s Orchard also carries seasonal produce and homemade baked goods. Additionally, the orchard’s store carries a delectable regional product that is hard to pass up – homemade ice cream from Chaney’s Dairy Barn in Warren County. The unique twist to Reid’s Orchard is the prospect of getting to pick your own apples and peaches straight from the tree when the fruit is ripe and ready. What more could a locavore ask for, than to be part of the process of bringing your own food to the table? The Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market, in the parking lot of Owensboro Christian Church on New Hartford Road, offers a wide variety of vendors and food products from late spring to early fall each year. Open on Saturdays in May and on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday through the heat of the summer and prime crop time, the market definitely has farmer’s hours. The vendors arrive at dawn and the market officially starts at 6:30 a.m. By noon, with the sun high in the hot Kentucky sky, the vegetables and vendors start to wilt. There are not often many vegetables left to do so, however. “The good stuff is gone by 10 a.m.,” according to Beth Johnson, who frequents the market at least twice a week during the peak season. Offering everything from apples to winter squash, the true benefit of the farmers’ market is getting to talk to the vendors themselves, who range from farmers to backyard gardeners to enterprising teenagers. The cooking advice, weather predictions and laid back chit-chat are free. The produce is not. But knowing you’ve purchased the freshest fruits and vegetables around while supporting the local economy is priceless. ● �� Mark Cecil, 16, a summer employee at Reid’s Orchard, looks for peaches to pick in the orchard off Kentucky 144. Because of last year’s killing freeze, owner Billy Reid said his workers are picking more peaches in a day, about 100 bushels, this season than they sold all last year. OWENSBORO 2009 39

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Owensboro Magazine 2009

The Owensboro 2009 From our Chair Contents Buffalo Trace Brings History to Owensboro Environmental Education Blooms in the Garden Owensboro Arts and Cultural Events Making the Grade Building Opportunity In the Swim Economic Development through Placemaking Sister Cities brings International Benefits Embracing Innovation to spur Economic Development Creating a Pool of Skilled Workers Expanding Transportation Options One-Stop Business Licensing Robot Doctor Building a Locally-Based Food Economy Welcome to the Neighborhood Luxury Living on the River Moving In Trendy Excursions Evolves with the Times The Crème Brews Comfort Downtown Growing with the Community Family Business Boasts Longevity, Good Barbecue Entrepreneurial Spirit Comes Home Capturing the Broadway Market Ministering to Church Leaders Community at-a-Glance By the Numbers Dining & Catering Guide Advertiser Index

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