Farmers market’s make a summer comeback after a harsh winter

SNOW HILL, Md. — Farmer’s Market season is back, with Snow Hill’s first market of the season opening this evening. Farmers and vendors spoke about the impact markets have on the community, especially after a harsh winter and a fluctuating spring.

Anne Marie Underwood, owner of Underwood Acres, said, “I put some seeds in the ground and wasn’t prepared for, like, you know, that additional cold snap, so I think that maybe has set us back a little bit for sure.”

That cold snap killed strawberry buds and delayed the planting season.

Jennifer Divis, economic development Main Street manager for the town of Snow Hill, said, “It can be tough for farmers, but I think in particular smaller farmers that are sort of at a larger commercial scale. So whatever produce farmers have, they’re going to bring it along, and we’re going to be happy to be able to support them.”

The cold isn’t the only thing that has given farmers and vendors a challenge.

Julie Letta, owner of El Letta Plants and Vegetables, said, “Walmart’s getting outrageous. Their prices are booming, skyrocketing high. Food Lion’s absolutely ridiculous.”

Letta said she no longer buys produce and herbs from stores with inflating prices and wants to help the community with reasonably priced produce.

“Like the herbs—we priced them in the store the other day. Never $5 for a little thing of herbs like this, where we sell this for, like, $2. So it’s a big difference,” she said.

Farmer’s markets not only help the community but also help generational farming families flourish.

Helen Young, owner of Coastal Creations, said, “It’s really important because personally, vendor sales have been down for most of the vendors that I know for the last two years because of the economy.” She added, “So it’s something that’s affordable, and it just gives everybody a chance to showcase their wares.”

• Snow Hill’s Farmer’s Market is held every Thursday from 2-7 p.m.
• Berlin’s Farmer’s Market is every Sunday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Ocean Pines Market is every Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Pocomoke Market is every Friday at 7 a.m.
• Cambridge Market is every Thursday from 3-6 p.m.