Mother Nature Wreaks Havoc at Mill City Farmers Market (Week 12)

We got a late start to the Farmers Market this morning, arriving shortly after 10am.   Upon arriving we found the plaza empty except for the Real Foods stand and the Chef Shack truck.  What we missed wasn't just a heavy rain, it was a horrific blast from Mother Nature that tore apart tents, sent products flying and brought nearby condo residents rushing down to help the vendors.

I don't know if KSTP was already on site to get pictures of something in particular, but they captured the chaotic scene.  Click here for KSTP's article (and pictures 01-07 in the accompanying slide show).

And just like that, the sun came out - but it was definately not business as usual.  Who knows how much product was destroyed, and how many tents and other display items will have to be replaced.  What do those things, combined with the loss of a day's sales at a busy Farmers Market, mean for each vendor? 

In the train shed, we managed to fill our bag with produce and other items, but I sure did miss my usual weekly stops, such as Tiny Planet Produce and Bramblewood Cottage - to name just a few.

 

This week's cooking demo was cancelled (Chef Nick Schneider was going to demystify Pesto for us), but the musicians (Gypsy Mania Quartet) found a covered area off to the side of the demo area to play.

And then there was Sonny's. Their ice cream is good for the soul.  (FYI - Sonny's ice cream is now available at Mill City Market Grocery and Deli, 1020 Washington Avenue South in the Bridgewater Lofts). 

As of this afternoon, the Mill City Farmers Market was still in third place for Minnesota in the America’s Favorite Farmers Markets contest.  If you haven't voted yet, please take a minute to do so by Clicking here.  I can't imagine a cooler Farmers Market than ours!