Farmers Market Comes to Yorktown

Mike McCauley talks about his tomatoes from all over the world to Larry Bowden at the Yorktown farmers market. (Chris Bergin / The Star Press)

YORKTOWN -- Latecomers to the long-running Saturday-morning Farmers Market at Minnetrista cultural center say some vendors sometimes run out of fresh produce, meats, plants, baked goods and more by the time some shoppers arrive.

And from the looks of Yorktown's inaugural farmers market on June 6, vendors at the Mount Pleasant-Yorktown Community Library site, the same thing can happen.

"Thirty quarts in 15 minutes," said Earl Muterspaugh of Muterspaugh Farms. "That's as fast as I've ever unloaded 30 quarts [of strawberries]."

A farm partner along with his wife, Anne, Earl chatted with fellow market vendor Gary Prater aboutgrowing strawberries before he and Anne headed back to the farm south of Muncie. Muterspaugh taught Prater at Yorktown schools back about 1960 while an educator.

"[The business] is a hobby out of hand," said Earl, retired from the food industry 14 years. "[The new Yorktown] market has plenty of space and plenty of customer traffic.

"It's handy getting in and out, and people are more conscious about driving today; it's nice to have."

The Muterspaughs headed home that first day about a half-hour into the 3-hour-long market.

"If you are not [at Minnetrista] by 9, everything is gone," said Dana Richardson, Yorktown. "This is great, and I like that it is between 4 and 7 (p.m.)."

Pork burger purveyors Susan and Ron Orebaugh are market coordinators for the Yorktown market. Ron counted 13 vendors a week ago Friday, and he expects more participation as the growing season progresses -- the same as at Minnetrista.

"We've had calls all week, and they have had calls at the library," said Ron, a weekly fixture behind the grill at Minnetrista. "There is more variety to come.

"But we have had an excellent turnout today, and I think the market will be a success."

Prater plans to sell at Yorktown while a partner, Benton Campbell, conducts business at their farm stand near Jackson Pike and Nebo Road. On Saturday mornings, Campbell plans to man the booth at Minnetrista while Prater stays at the home stand.

"Every community needs and should have a farmers market," Prater said about the new venue. "It's a way to share a sense of community: Buying local and eating fresh."

However, Prater said major retailers stacked the odds against local growers by selling fresh produce at a loss to lure consumers into the stores and sell them other items.

"I got excited when I saw in the paper that they were going to have it," said Julie Matchett, Yorktown, at the market with her mom and dad, Jack and Janie Gooding. "I am glad about it, and hope to see it grow."

Janie was eager to try some jumbo radishes from Linda and Roger Ritchie's booth.

"It's good to have a market here in the community considering the cost of gas to drive to a grocery store," said Linda Ritchie, a Gaston resident who retired from a state job, earned a nursing degree, then ditched both careers to farm. "Working in the garden is a lot less stressful."

Living about as close to Minnetrista as Yorktown, Marsha Shirk plans to frequent both venues.

Vendor Yvonne Feola, from Feola Farms near Albany, is always at Minnetrista -- and she and husband Neal planned to try the Yorktown market this year rather than drive to an Indianapolis market where they had a booth last year.

"It is a good idea, and [Delaware County] is big enough to have two markets," said Yvonne, who was at the market with the Feola children. "There are a lot of people living out on this end, and it is handy for us to come."

Ditto for Brad Miller, owner of Miller Bison Farms in Mooreland, who also attends a Thursday-night market on Indianapolis's north side.

"I live in Westbrook and go to Minnetrista on Saturday mornings," said Carol Pinckney, who bought Chinese cabbage and pickles. "But a lot of people have obligations on Saturday mornings.

"I think this will be a big draw, and it is nice to see the Yorktown community get something else new."

Minnetrista customers Harold and Carolyn Wages are a walk away from the Yorktown site.

"We are tickled to death," she said. "We'll probably come every time."