Black Forest is going to have its own farmers market this summer. Market managers Theda Stone and Elva Barr announced that Backyard Market is partnering with the Black Forest Community Center to provide 19 weeks of produce, crafts and more to the Forest; something that hasnít happened since 2010.The Black Forest Community Club chartered the Backyard Farmers Market as an outreach program after polling the community about what kinds of activities and events they were interested in. Stone said, ìWeíre excited about this as it will be different from most markets people have been to. Weíre modeling after the market at Woodland Park and markets Iíve been to out East.îTheir mission is to support a healthier community by providing an opportunity for local farmers, food producers and artists to sell their products directly to the consumer in an educational, friendly and community oriented environment, Stone said.The market will offer a kidsí corner, where they can make a small craft project and earn market bucks to shop at the market to buy their own produce. There will be a Young Entrepreneurs booth to provide an opportunity for young people to sell their wares. And a sustainable living booth will provide demonstrations and education.They contacted the marketing and business departments at Pikes Peak Community College and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs for an unpaid summer intern to help with vendor relationships, social media and other responsibilities. ìWeíre very excited to provide this opportunity,î Stone said.She said theyíve done research within the community on what kinds of booths are preferred and what farmers would like to see and not see at the market. For example, they learned it is common to find a booth at a farmers market where the owner has bought their produce from a store, not their own farm. Stone encourages consumers to look at websites to make sure vendors actually have a farm.ìItís all about being transparent and building a relationship between the farmers, crafters and community,î Stone said.ìItís not just about going to the market to buy a cucumber, but more like, Iím going there to see Sal who sells me my vegetables. Itís about eating healthier and learning how to be more sustainable for our environment and the beautiful Black Forest we live in.î She said their goal is to build a relationship among farmer, crafter and consumer. They plan to showcase the vendors on their website, and allow consumers to click on a link and go right to the vendor website.Stone said farmersí markets are considered an essential business, product or service; and, as long as they keep proportions of food to crafts in a certain range, they will be allowed to proceed, even if Colorado is still in quarantine when the market is scheduled to open. She said normally, a farmers market proportion would be 50 percent food, 50 percent crafts; however, with the quarantine, those percentages are 75 percent to 25 percent. Stone said if Colorado remains in quarantine, customers can order on-line or drive up and order, and they will load the box in their car.Since the Black Forest Arts and Crafts Guild spring show was cancelled, Stone said they will also have five or six booths each week at the farmers market that will showcase arts and crafts. She said the booths will be separate from the actual farmersí market.Stone said they are looking for sponsors. The market will provide a great opportunity for businesses to advertise and introduce themselves to the community in a more personal way, she said.The market will be held every Saturday (except the Fourth of July) from May 23 to Oct. 10. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the market will be located behind the Black Forest Community Club. Check out the Facebook page or the website at or updates and information.
