Berlin Farmers Market kicks off first day of season

BERLIN, Md.  The Berlin Farmers Market is back.

This year, business owners, like Patti Steskal, emphasized the importance of shopping local.

“For people to come out and support us is very important, so we can continue doing what we do,” Steskal said.

It’s a tradition that keeps the community coming back year after year, but this year, Shawn Cross, with Cross Farms, is shining an extra bright light on all of his fellow local vendors, who keep the Eastern Shore alive.

“It gets people to learn where their food comes from. A lot of people just understand, ‘Hey, we go to a grocery store and pick it up.’ It’s not always that simple, We educate with the community out here,” Cross said.

For 40 years, Steskal has been making canned goods right from home. The business owner takes great pride in pitching up her tent and selling her fan favorite recipes, weekend after weekend.

“I’ve been running it as a business, doing farmers markets and special events, so seeing people come out is what keeps me running,” Steskal said. “If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be standing here 8 years later.”

Cross encouraged anyone who hasn’t been to the Farmers Market to make at least one trip to visit this season.

“All these people put their heart and soul into growing vegetables like we do, and that’s what counts. You’re supporting the community when you buy local,” Cross said.