Although Saturday was the last day of the season for the Aurora Farmers Market downtown, customers are already looking forward to next year and the market’s reopening.
“We are sad to see the farmers market end when it gets cold but we look forward to next spring,” customer Sarah Herron said Saturday. “We appreciate the fresh fruits and vegetables. They taste different compared to grocery store produce.”
The Aurora Farmers Market at 65 S. Water St. is managed by the city of Aurora.
“We are saddened to see the farmers market come to a close for the year, but at the same time we are content and encouraged knowing overall it was a very good season,” Aurora Community Events Coordinator Kylee Sosa said.
The market this year maintained its regular base of vendors plus attracted new ones. This was the first year the market was expanded to five aisles of vendors in Water Street Square, Sosa said.
There was a noticeable difference with how people interacted with one another as well this year with pandemic restrictions lifted.
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“This is the first year people seemed more relaxed to be out with one another,” Sosa said.
Herron was with two friends, sisters Chiquita Jones and Telisa Lee, at the market on Saturday. The Aurora women purchased strawberries, green beans, parsnips and freshly baked cookies.
“I am happy with how the farmers market returned this year with a strong sense of community,” Jones said. “It’s amazing to see people support farmers and local artisans.”
Throughout the growing season the women follow the Aurora Farmers Market on social media to see what vendors are coming each week. They plan to keep the camaraderie going until the market opens up again next year.
“We go to church together,” Jones said.
Deepa Beshmukh is a private-sector dietician that frequents the Aurora Farmers Market.
“It’s always a sad moment for me knowing I won’t have the freshly grown goods for months,” Beshmukh said Saturday.
To compensate for the loss, the Aurora woman plans to freeze some of the produce she bought to get her through the winter.
“I’ll freeze string beans, tomatoes and fruits. It will hold me over for a while,” she said.
Beshmukh appreciates how farmers markets in general educate people to eat healthy and also spread awareness about different produce typically not available in supermarkets such as purple string beans and Concord grades from Michigan.
“You won’t find purple string beans in a grocery store. These are the special finds,” Beshmukh said.
The farmers markets are a way for people to support local and regional farmers, help the planet and improve their health, she said.
“Fruits and vegetables are good for our brain. If it weren’t for coming to the Aurora Farmers Market, I would not have known you can eat fresh purple green beans. This is like a classroom,” Beshmukh said.
She found the purple string beans at the produce booth of Lopez Farms at the market. Ralph Lopez has an 80-acre farm in Michigan.
“The purple green beans are a new variety. They retain their color when they are not cooked. They taste sweet in tossed salads,” Lopez said.
One other vendor summed up the close of the farmers market season in Aurora.
“I’m bummed out this is the last farmers market,” fresh produce vendor Freddy Cervantez said. “I like the wholesome environment and how people are willing to help one another and start their day in a happy way.”
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.