Small market has festive atmosphere

As music filled the air, shoppers casually walked through the Saturday Farmers Market in the city parking lot behind Third and South Curry streets.

An eclectic mix of produce, flowers, perennials and homemade foods were displayed under a spattering of white and blue pop-up tents.

"I wanted to see how (the market) was set up," said Lynn Weaver of Carson City, who was out shopping with her husband, Kit. "I prefer to be outside, like this, under the trees. And we usually get to see people we know."

"It's really festive," added Kit. "We look for things like this when we travel."

Business was going well for John "Mo" Mougenel of Trader Joe's, who was offering samples of crackers and three different kinds of cheese, plus peanut butter-filled pretzels.

"It's really going great," Mougenel said. "We participate in this and the Mills Park farmers market. They have the most effective turnouts."

Patty Olson of South Lake Tahoe said she makes a day trip of coming to Carson City.

"I do a lot of shopping while I'm here," Olson said. "Plus I get gas here. It's 60 cents a gallon cheaper than at the lake.

"I like to spend the day and enjoy these things."

Business was also brisk for "Healthy Chocolate," a business based in south Reno.

"It has been busy all morning," said Marla Churchill, who explained the benefits of cocoa-based foods and how choices can be healthy in a person's diet.

"Any diabetic still will want to check with their doctor," Churchill said. "But unprocessed cocoa is a proven food to be more nutritious and aid in lowering bad cholesterol and raising good cholesterol levels."

A variety of pamphlets were available on the benefits of healthy chocolate.

Other vendors on hand included Lattin Farms, Molly's Catering, Nevada's Own Perennials and Comma Coffee.

The Saturday Farmers Market is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday through Oct. 11. For information, call 882-6741.

- Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.