By Julie Conrey Record Staff Writer John Claire is a self-declared city slicker. The last place he ever thought he’d be was at a farmer’s market. Now he’s running two of them. Retired from the military with a strong background in retail management, Claire is market master for the Warren County Farmers & Artisans Market, with two locations, Diekroeger Park in Wright City and the pavilion behind city hall in Warrenton. This is his first full year in the volunteer position. The Wright City market opened Thursday, May 15. About a dozen vendors braved two downpours, hail and strong winds to sell their homemade goods, plants and honey. Claire was pleased with the first market of the season. “It was good for what we were up against,” he said. “The weather didn’t keep people away. We had a steady stream for three hours.” The Warrenton market opened Tuesday, May 20. Both markets will run weekly from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. through mid-to-late October, depending upon the weather, Claire said. The markets are open to the public and admission is free. “This is a true farmer’s market,” Claire said. All items either have to be made or grown by the person selling them. “You’ll never see pineapples or bananas at one of our markets,” he said. “Otherwise it’s a flea market.” The fee for vendors to sell in both markets is $30 per year. “It’s the cheapest in the area,” Claire said. “Most places charge $300.” All monies collected from the vendors are plowed back into advertising. “We’re a non-profit,” he said. “Everything we make goes for advertising. We watch our money very closely.” Claire doesn’t know how many vendors will sign up to sell at the markets. He’d like to exceed the 50 vendors who participated last year. “We’re hoping to have one of the biggest ones we’ve had,” he said. Although the wetter and cooler spring weather has pushed fruit and vegetable growing season a couple of weeks behind what’s normal this time of year, the markets currently offer a variety of products, including honey produced by local beekeepers; plants for the yard and garden; chicken eggs; and quite possibly duck eggs. Other items Claire anticipates will be available include locally made breads; all kinds of baked goods; jewelry; crocheted scarves; knit hats; aprons; birdhouses; and wood frames made with a scroll saw. Claire sells stained-glass items, including hummingbird feeders. About five years ago he had a heart attack. His doctor asked him about his hobbies. He had none. He was always interested in stained glass, so, on the advice of his physician, he took it up. Money from the sale of his items is used to buy more materials. The whole venture gets him out of the house and involved with people, he says. In July and August, expect to see sweet corn, green beans, watermelon, tomatoes, zucchini, squash and eggplant, among other vegetables, at both markets, Claire said. Farmer’s markets are good for the local economy, and your pocketbook, Claire said. “It’s more cost-effective to come to the farmer’s market,” he said. “It’s locally grown (produce) and fresh.” Many of the vendors are senior citizens, and participate to supplement retirement incomes, so you’re helping out community members, he added. David and Marylin Reckamp operate Reckamp Farms, located on the outskirts of Wright City. The Reckamp family has owned and farmed this land for six decades. They’ll sell pork and produce at both markets this year. “We’re looking forward to seeing all of our customers again. Hopefully the weather goes along with the growing season,” Marylin said. The couple hopes to have strawberries available by the end of May. Other items they’ll sell include honey and free-range chicken eggs. In July and August, they’ll have tomatoes, sweet corn, okra, zucchini, green peppers and other produce. They also sell cabbage, sweet potatoes and white potatoes in season. They’ll bring along pork, including bacon, whole hams, pork steaks and chops, plus different flavored bratwursts for sale. Prices range from $3.50 per pound for bulk sausage, $5.10 per pound of bacon to $4.75 per pound for pork chops. “Our prices are very reasonable and competitive,” Marylin said. “Our products are drug free and our animals are socially friendly and treated well.” For the first time this year, there will be two winter markets, one in November the other in December. Both will be held in Wright City, Claire said. “We’re testing the waters to see how it goes.” To check out what’s going on at the markets and product availability, log on to the group’s Facebook page or email wcfam.wrightcity@gmail.com, Claire said. Claire is trying out his new role as market master for one year. He just turned 72, and says he’s getting up there a little bit and has arthritis. The group running the market votes on its officers every year. Will he remain market master in 2015? “I already have someone picked out for next year,” he quipped.
Farmer's Market
