Battle Lake Farmers Market offers variety in products and foods
Variety reigns at the Battle Lake Farmers Market.
Fresh produce, farm raised meats and eggs, fresh pastries, breads and pies and locally crafted cutting boards, plaques and glasses are among the vendors’ offerings.
And it’s all local!
“The best thing about a farmers market is you are supporting the local community and local economy,” said Brittany Springer. “You aren’t buying from a big corporation, you are paying for the little kids’ dance lessons.”
Vendors at the farmers market are all local residents. Some are farmers and others operate businesses in the area.
Springer, president of the Battle Lake Farmers Market, and her family operate Cornerstone Farms near Henning. Besides their market garden, they raise livestock including beef and goats. Their stand at the market included rhubarb, cookies, Swiss chard, lettuce, eggs, kombucha, goat cheese, goat soap, jellies and sourdough bread.
They also visit the Wadena Farmers Market and, this year, will offer a self-serve stand in Henning.
Cornerstone Farm is a 160-acre operation with a high tunnel. This summer, they plan to build a greenhouse where the hope to grow hydroponically. Through the hydroponics, the Springers will be able to offer produce year-round.
Some of her tips for using fresh produce include celery leaves in smoothies and Swiss chard in place of noodles in lasagna.
Wonderful pastries abound at Mary’s Delectables stand. Mary and her husband, Tom Pettis prepare the made-from-scratch pastries which include several flavor of croissants plus breads and rolls.
It takes more than one day to prepare for market day. The couple makes the dough on Mondays and Tuesdays and prepares the fresh fruit fillings on Wednesdays. Besides sales at the Battle Lake Farmers Markets, the Pettis’ also bring their treats to the Concerts in the Park in Fergus Falls on Thursday evenings.
Tom was a factory worker while Mary worked in the food service industry. Her jobs ranged from dishwasher to waitressing and line cook. When she retired, the couple started making pastries.
After the farmers market season ends, the couple will take orders for their breads and pastries, he said.
Some of the croissant fillings are honey almond, butter pecan, fruit filled and chocolate.
The Pettis’ have been bringing their tasty treats to farmers markets for six years.
Other vendors are fairly new to the market, including Rachel Mast. Mast of Henning who offers several great treats as well including home baked pies and bars and cookies.
Dan Ukkelberg of Clitherall is rejoining the farmers market scene after taking a few years off to focus on his college studies.
He first came to the Battle Lake Farmers Market as a high school junior. Now he’s entering his junior year at North Dakota State University where he’s majoring in ag education.
Dan sells farm fresh eggs and, as the market season ramps up, he will have radishes, zucchini, cucumbers, carrots, onions and tomatoes.
Need a cutting board to slice and dice all that great produce during the season? Then check out Lupey Hand Creations.
Brenda Wilcox uses her creativity to create a variety of cutting boards, plaques and stenciled wine glasses and bottles. Her husband, Ron, assists with some of the crafts.
Her business she calls Lupey, got it’s start from her love of crafts and scrapbooking.
“It just progressed from there,” she said.
Stenciled wine glasses are a great pairing with lighted wine bottles. She also has stenciled pails which are lighted. The pails are lighted and can be used when fishing or to hold ice and your favorite beverages.
The Battle Lake Farmers Market is located in Railroad Park on the south end of town. It’s hard to miss! Just look for the signs near the market on main street.
Battle Lake Farmers Market at Railroad Park from 9 to noon Saturdays.
