Farmer's market finishes successful second year

The day was warm, even if a bit blustery, as fall closed in Saturday on the last Carson City downtown farmer's market of the season.

In just two short years of operation, the 3rd & Curry Street Farmer's Market has gained a reputation as one of the best in the region, according to vendors as well as shoppers.

"I did quite well," said Mary MacDonald, who sold produce and flowers every week grown on her one-acre Beautiful Food Farm in Silver City. "I looked forward to coming here every week. It gave me a little bit of income. I liked having City Cafe Bakery, Molly's Catering and Comma Coffee here, too - the locals. And the market manager Linda Marrone is one of the classiest ladies I've ever known. I'm definitely going to do it again next year."

Karen Foster, co-owner of Hidden Valley Honey in east Reno, said this was their first year with the the downtown market.

"It's a really good, busy market, and the market manager is really on top of things," Foster said. "I noticed that a lot of the town shows up to shop and visit."

Her husband Chris agreed.

"It's really one of the better markets. It has pretty consistent business, especially the first couple of months," he said.

In addition to fresh produce from Nevada Certified Farmers Market growers, the 3rd & Curry Street Market always offered a variety of fresh baked breads and pastries, jams and honeys, house and garden plants, crafts and gifts, lavender products from Campy's Lavender Patch in Stagecoach and fresh-cut flowers.

Live music, horse-drawn carriage rides and a family pop-up park for kids made the experience memorable for locals and out-of-town visitors who frequently found their way to the market.

Carson City resident Nancy Patterson shared her thoughts about the downtown market as she purchased some lavender goods for the natural cleaning products she makes.

"I like it because it feels like you're supporting local business and local people," Patterson said. "There's a community spirit here with the tables and people sitting around talking. You're in the pretty part of town, and I prefer this market because it's so accessible."

Much of the credit for the success of the 3rd & Curry Street Farmer's Market is due to the vision and organization of the market manager, Marrone.

"This is only our second year, and both the first and second year exceeded our expectations. My vendors did as good as last year plus we had several new vendors that were really happy with the market. They had only signed up for a month and ended up being there every week," Marrone said.

"We grew the market this year and don't really have much more space to expand. We had the Bike Valet there every week this year run by Muscle Powered which was really a plus," she said.

"We had over 39 vendors coming and going this year and I'm always looking for Nevada farmers. Our main purpose is to support sustainable agriculture by supporting our farmers and helping support our small businesses in our community and downtown," Marrone said.

"What sets my market apart from others in the region is the whole vibe of the Saturday morning market. It's a place where, besides shopping for wonderful produce, you can meet your neighbors and friends, get a cup of coffee and a bite to eat and sit down at a table in the shade and listen to music while you do," she said.

Marrone takes pride in offering little extra touches.

"I go above and beyond what is required of me every week, from flowers in the Sani-Hut to free water for all our customers," she said.

She also brings change for the vendors, recycles compost and plastic bottles and cans, and has her helpers set up tents and lend a hand if any vendors need assistance. She keeps on hand backup water, knives, paper towels, toothpicks, Handy Wipes, cutting boards, tables, chairs, tents, loaner pull carts and even a scale if a vendor forgets one.

"Our market is a group of dedicated individuals working together because we believe farmer's markets are good for everyone," Marrone said.ꆱ