WOOD RIVER, IL (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
"Farmers' markets" have become a big hit in Illinois. Wood River is the latest community trying to start one. But, can you really get the freshest stuff at the lowest prices? FOX 2's John Auble learns that just might not be the case. Jason Woody with Wood River Parks explains, "I'm hoping we can get ten vendors and kind of grow from there." For the second year in a row, Wood River, Illinois, has tried to establish a farmer's market.
Woody says, "A lot of people have expressed interest in having one down here."
But, vendors are scarce. Veteran produce man Don Stevens, who owns The Fruit Stand in Wood River, thinks he knows why, "There's just not that many farmers anymore."
There are some 220 so-called "farmers' markets" in Illinois trying to convince consumers that they offer the freshest stuff at the cheapest prices. Picked in the morning and sold that afternoon.
Woody agrees, "They pick it and bring it here that day, probably."
Probably not, Stevens says, "Just because it says 'Farmers' Market' everyone gets the idea that it's home-grown. They could go to Soulard. They could go to Produce Row and buy whatever they want from anywhere."
The city is offering space for vendors at $10 a week for Thursday market days, or $30 for the month.
Woody says, "We don't get anything. They take in all of it."
But, with a dwindling farm population and marked-up produce shipped into St. Louis, what's a small refinery town like Wood River to do? Sell oil?
There's another factor wood river says they have to consider before trying to open their market this Thursday. Wood River would be competing with farmers' markets in nearby Alton, Edwardsville and Jerseyville.
Woody says, "A lot of people have expressed interest in having one down here."
But, vendors are scarce. Veteran produce man Don Stevens, who owns The Fruit Stand in Wood River, thinks he knows why, "There's just not that many farmers anymore."
There are some 220 so-called "farmers' markets" in Illinois trying to convince consumers that they offer the freshest stuff at the cheapest prices. Picked in the morning and sold that afternoon.
Woody agrees, "They pick it and bring it here that day, probably."
Probably not, Stevens says, "Just because it says 'Farmers' Market' everyone gets the idea that it's home-grown. They could go to Soulard. They could go to Produce Row and buy whatever they want from anywhere."
The city is offering space for vendors at $10 a week for Thursday market days, or $30 for the month.
Woody says, "We don't get anything. They take in all of it."
But, with a dwindling farm population and marked-up produce shipped into St. Louis, what's a small refinery town like Wood River to do? Sell oil?
There's another factor wood river says they have to consider before trying to open their market this Thursday. Wood River would be competing with farmers' markets in nearby Alton, Edwardsville and Jerseyville.
