The Univera Healthcare Downtown Jamestown Farmers Market is beginning to offer some of the area's finest fall produce.
The market will continue to operate every Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Oct. 26 in Foundry Alley next to the Dr. Lillian Vitanza Ney Renaissance Center on the corner of West Third and Washington streets.
"Last week's Farmers Market Community Day was a huge success and a great way to end the summer season," said Tiffani Conti, DJDC special projects manager. "It's hard to believe fall is so close, but so many market patrons look forward to this season because now it's time for grapes, apples, squash and an array of fresh fall produce."
Through the state Fresh Connect Program, the market has received $2 Fresh Connect coupons for individuals using their EBT cards. For every $5 spent using an EBT card, the buyer will receive a $2 coupon for additional produce.
"This is such a great incentive for families to use their EBT cards at the farmers market," Mrs. Conti said. "For every $5 spent they will receive $2 free to purchase additional fresh produce. This program not only benefits the families, but increases revenue for our participating farmers."
Added value coupons will be available on a first-come first-serve basis. The Downtown Jamestown Farmers Market now accepts EBT in addition to credit and debit cards. WIC participants and seniors who have not used their market coupons are encouraged to do so before Oct. 26.
Friday's market will feature a live performance by Cindy Haight from noon to 1 p.m. Cindy Haight has performed at hundreds of venues, parties, benefits, protests and has even performed at retirement homes. She began performing at the age of 17 in local Jamestown open mic nights and developed an affinity for live music and performing.
She has played with popular local bands Djava and the Derbines, and is now performing a solo and occasional duo act around the region. She has recorded with bands in the past, and released her first full-length, solo CD entitled "Songs of Love and Haight" in 2009. Most recently, she contributed vocal support to Matt Homan's up and coming CD release, which features many area musicians.
The market continues to bring local farms selling farm-fresh produce, fresh-frozen meats, cheese, eggs, goat milk fudge, homemade baked goods, and other specialty products. Patrons at Friday's market will find peppers, apple cider, kale, squash, tomatoes, raspberries, sweet corn, carrots, beets, cauliflower, lettuce, potatoes, eggplant, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, apples, grapes, pears, nectarines, watermelon and cantaloupe.
Elegant Edibles Catering offers fruit cups, giant homemade cookies, or fresh pie with a rotating weekly menu. Big Pitt's BBQ will return to the market with its barbecue chicken and rib dinners. Uncle J's Vanilla offers vanilla spices, natural home care products and natural personal care products and Sr. Jorita's Breads carries artisan breads, cookies, cakes, and pies.
Anyone who visits the farmer's market information booth can enter to win a $10 farmers market gift certificate by completing a brief survey. Free grab-and-go recipe cards are available in addition to free market parking on West Third Street and in the parking lot behind the Dr. Lillian Vitanza Ney Renaissance Center.
For more market information, call the DJDC at 664-2477 or visit discoverjamestown.com.