By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – As a staple of local agriculture, the Bloomington Farmers Market has played a significant role in bringing fresh produce and meats to the people of Bloomington-Normal for decades.

Catherine Dunlap, the Events and Outreach Coordinator for the Downtown Bloomington Association and farmers market manager, said the Bloomington event is one of the longest continuous farmers markets in the state, dating back to at least 1974. She considers the market as more than a place to buy fresh produce – it’s a hub to create a connection with other people.

“I get to meet so many great people working as the market manager,” Dunlap said. “Watching kids grow up, dogs grow up.”

Regular Bloomington Farmers Market participant Larry Fink of Destiny Meats has worked in agriculture for his entire life, and said nothing makes his day brighter than seeing a customer enjoy his product.

“When you see a customer come up and you give them a sample of your product, and they smile and say, ‘Yeah, I’ll take one of those,’ I think for me that’s where it’s at,” Fink said.

Market merchant Cathy Troyer of Troyer Farms said she enjoys planting new crops and bringing them to the market to see what works and what doesn’t.

“I try something new and plant something new almost every year,” Troyer explained. “There’s a lot of these things that I had never eaten before or grown before.”

The market is open in downtown Bloomington from 7:30 until noon every Saturday morning from May to October.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].