Kickoff this Saturday for Imperial Farmers Market

    It’s been a number of years since Imperial has hosted a Farmers Market.
    That changes this week when a return to a local Farmers Market happens on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at City Square.
    Tyler Pribbeno, Imperial’s Community Development Director, said they had good response from a Facebook survey with a lot of comments that people wanted to see one in Imperial.
    As of Tuesday morning, seven vendors have committed to sell at this Saturday’s kickoff Farmers Market. Among the items for sale will be farm fresh eggs, succulents, baked goods, essential oils/natural healthcare products, Mexican bread, homemade tortillas and clothing.
    “Our focus for the Farmers Market is fresh produce,” Pribbeno said.
    However, they will also accept baked and canned goods and craft items. He’d like the Farmers Market to be a “one-stop shop” where buyers can pick up fresh produce along with a trinket or two.
    Anyone wanting to sell at Farmers Market must register with Pribbeno beforehand, he said. That’s due to new requirements in cottage food industry laws, he said, which require labeling and other identification on some foods made in the home.
    The food safety and regulation requirements for Farmers Markets and craft shows are available from Pribbeno.
    Plans now are to hold the Farmers Market every Saturday. A lot of garden-grown produce is not yet ready for harvesting, so he hopes to see the produce offerings increase in the weeks ahead.
    Vendors can still sign up for this Saturday’s kickoff, he said. Contact Pribbeno at the city office for details at 308-882-4368 or at his email: tylerp@imperial-ne.com.
    Vendors do not have to commit to sell every week, he added.
    Pribbeno said the summer community development interns have been working with him on getting the Farmers Market reestablished.