Jeanerette's Farmers Market Growing

 

     The Jeanerette Farmer's Market adds new vendors each month since it first began in the fall. The project, sponsored by the Jeanerette Chamber of Commerce, is held at the Jeanerette City Parks from 8 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday of each month.
​     "The Farmer's Market began as a collaboration of a lot of people in the community and the board. We did everything possible to get it together," said Chamber Coordinator Katheryne Landry. The event allows for backyard gardeners and crafters to sell their produce and homemade items free of charge, however, they must reserve their space with the Jeanerette Chamber in order to set up.
​     "The response has been very positive," Landry said. "People are pleased and they keep coming back." She added that items popula items sold included produce, jewelry and candles.
     "The support from the community has been really great," Landry said. At the February market, five new vendors were added.     Kevin Boutte was one of the new vendors exhibiting at Farmer's Market. His booth, named The Garden Salad, features fresh vegetables, fruits, potted plants, herbs, and canned goods. He began his garden project after he moved back home to help his parents. Almost every day he spends four hours or more tending to his 80 x 200 foot garden and his home green house. While weeds can present a problem, especially in the warmer months, Boutte says that it doesn't hurt the plants.
     "In the fall, mirltion and beets are the big sellers," Boutte said. But added that summer was one of his busiest times.
​     "People love fresh tomatoes and cucumbers," he said.
​     For Lula Hobbs, being at the Jeanerette Farmer's Market has offered her the opportunity to enjoy being able to see people from the community.
     A native of Jeanerette, Hobbs has returned after living in San Francison for 48 years.
​     "I always wanted to come back," she said. Adding that there is nothing like the sunshine and the beauty of being home.
​     Hobbs originally came back home to take care of her mother and was looking for something to do when she discovered she enjoyed making jewelry. She has been making jewelry for over a year and has been enjoying the peacefulness it gives her.
​    "It's my quiet time at night when I sit and let the designs flow. I think the angels may help me," she said.
​     Hobbs has been displaying her jewelry at Farmer's Market since it began in Jeanerette and plans to continue.
     Trent Broussard is one of the younger vendors to exhibit at the Farmer's Market. He began baking at age 7 when he entered 4H contests. He continued to compete during the years and won reserve champion for his syrup cake. He sells that cake now at the market. He said that he learned his skills from his mother and grandmother.
     He also grows the produce that he sells on three acres of land at home. What began as a bet and way to raise funds to go on a trip has turned into a money making hobby for Broussard.