Launch of De Soto Farmers' Market a Success!

De Soto is a town of firsts. Working with Get Healthy De Soto through our Healthy & Active Communities Initiative, De Soto passed the first Complete Streets Policy in Missouri. Now, with the launch of the De Soto Farmers' Market, De Soto has become the first city in Jefferson County to have a farmers' market!

The market launched on May 9, 2009 but getting to that day took a lot of work. Originally, the Jefferson County Health Department had concerns about operating the farmers' market without posing health hazards to residents. Trailnet and Get Healthy De Soto were able to work with the Health Department to develop rules and regulations for the market that would satisfy the Health Department's concerns and lead to a thriving farmers' market for De Soto.

The year's worth of planning also included finding sponsors for the market, advertising, securing Market Masters, and most importantly, finding vendors. Trailnet and Get Healthy De Soto worked with Missouri Extension to hold a workshop for potential vendors which proved a success--over 30 potential vendors were in attendance.

The fruits of this labor has resulted in a vibrant farmers' market for De Soto. Though only in its sixth week, the market has had an above average number of vendors and has had a great impact on the community. The market itself is a fun atmosphere where people enjoy meeting up with neighbors. People talk about how great the farmers' market has been for De Soto--even saying it's the best thing that's happened to De Soto.

Even more, the market has had a real impact on the local economy. Farmers, convinced of continued demand for their produce in the future, are already planting crops in anticipation of what they would want to sell at the market in the coming years. One gentleman, who lost his job, decided to become a vendor at the market. On his first day he made enough money to not only feed his family for the week, but for the following weeks along with some leftover for paying bills.

We are just beginning to see all of the positive impacts the De Soto Farmers' Market will have on De Soto and cannot wait to experience more. We'll keep you posted!