STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 18
The place
for fresh
Stillwater Farmers ’ Market convenient for guests and vendors
“ So , we ’ re trying to make sure that people know we ’ re here and that this is an option for their food .”
The year-round Stillwater Farmers ’ Market offers the freshest , locally produced fruits and vegetables ; choice meat ( beef , pork , chicken , lamb and goat ); farm fresh eggs ; hand-crafted breads and jellies ; garden fresh flowers ; fresh-cut herbs ; a variety of seasonal plants ; and goat milk soaps and lotions .
The market is able to provide the freshest products due to requiring all vendors either to grow or produce their offerings in Payne County or one of the surrounding counties , which include Logan , Lincoln , Creek , Pawnee and Noble . Vendors are also required to be members of the Payne County Fruit and Vegetable Growth Association .
The market also invites specialty vendors to sell products that are not typically offered by current members to provide some product diversity . One of those is Prairie Thyme Farm from Newalla , Oklahoma – the only Grade A goat dairy in the state of Oklahoma , Coordinator Amanda Manley said . “ There is nobody locally that could fill that space ,” Manley said . The Summer Market is held from 8 a . m . to 1 p . m . on Saturdays during the months of April through October . From May - October , the market is also open from 8 a . m . to 1 p . m . Wednesday mornings . The Winter Market is held from 10 a . m . to noon Saturdays .
Vendors set up booths in the parking lot of the Prairie Arts Center at 1001 S . Duck St . during the Summer Market .
Most people may not know , but in the winter , vendors still set up their booths – only inside in the warmth of the center , Manley said . Although fresh produce isn ’ t as readily available , the market vendors still have “ meat , cheese , eggs , jams and jellies , baked goods …. ( and ) mostly potatoes , onions , and winter squash ,” she said .
In the summer , there are typically around 20 vendors who sell their products at the farmers ’ market .
The Stillwater Farmers ' Market was established in 1986 , and according to its website , is ranked one of the best farmers ’ markets in Oklahoma .
Manley said the market uses Facebook to advertise on a regular basis , and they even ran radio ads last summer for the first time .
“ A lot of the time we get people that ( say ), ‘ I ’ ve lived here for years , I never knew this was here ,’” she said .
“ So , we ’ re trying to make sure that people know we ’ re here and that this is
SwOk an option for their food .”
STORY BY : JESSICA MARSHALL Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine
PHOTOS by JESSICA MARSHALL
Fresh eggs for sale at the Stillwater Farmers ' Market
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 18