OKC Downtown Farmers Market (Oklahoma City, Edmond: skyscrapers, agriculture, work)

[happytown]

It constantly gets better in OKC. Now a Downtown Farmers Market? WOW.....It couldnt get more urban than that.


From Small Seeds…
OSU-OKC Farmers’ Market
to Return Downtown in 2007

The OSU-OKC Farmers’ Market in downtown Oklahoma City, introduced this year by Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City, will return in 2007 with the promise of more vendors and with the support of additional partners in the project.

Despite record heat and drought through most of the summer, the OSU-OKC Farmers’ Market downtown location has demonstrated the potential for greater success with improvements planned for next year. The City of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture will join OSU-Oklahoma City and Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc., in presenting the OSU-OKC Farmers’ Market downtown in 2007.

“This year’s weather was about as difficult as it can get for our vendors and our shoppers,” said Dr. Jerry Carroll, president of OSU-OKC. “But the downtown community and our Oklahoma farmers have demonstrated that this is a win-win opportunity we need to pursue.”

Sales at the OSU-OKC Farmers’ Market downtown location – held each Wednesday – were exceptionally strong until soaring temperatures diminished the numbers of customers and the quantities of available products. The top sales day thus far was May 17 when 25 vendors participated and single day sales exceeded $8,000.

“The OSU-OKC Farmers’ Market in downtown Oklahoma City can be one of the best in the region, both for our state’s farmers and for downtown employees and residents,” said Secretary of Agriculture Terry Peach whose department will help facilitate the participation of more vendors of Oklahoma-grown products. “The numbers of employees in downtown and nearby can make this market a model.”

The OSU-OKC Farmers’ Market will continue on Couch Drive in downtown again next season, through the cooperation of the City of Oklahoma City. Couch “park” is nestled between skyscrapers, near the largest concentration of employees in the state and across the street from the renovated Skirvin Hilton which will open early in 2007. The median, which features sculptures and fountains, can accommodate up to 40 vendors.

“We are glad to help continue to host the market,” said City Manager Jim Couch. “It’s a unique setting that we now know can work.”

Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc., will again assist by promoting the market to downtown employees, businesses, visitors and residents. “The market is just one more way we can make downtown special and we’re looking forward to the increased number of vendors and attendance we will have in the years ahead,” said Dave Lopez, president of DOKC

[peggydavis]

I didn't even know they had a Wednesday market downtown, Happytown. I wonder why they picked Wednesday, though, because many vendors will have a conflict between the Edmond farmers market, also open on Wednesday. At any rate, I am sure the downtown workers really appreciate the fresh produce, eggs, and meat.

[happytown]

Originally Posted by peggydavis

I didn't even know they had a Wednesday market downtown, Happytown. I wonder why they picked Wednesday, though, because many vendors will have a conflict between the Edmond farmers market, also open on Wednesday. At any rate, I am sure the downtown workers really appreciate the fresh produce, eggs, and meat.

This Downtown market is designed for an urban society that is emerging around Downtown OKC.....Not just some "workers"......The market is also farrrr away from Edmond to hold any significance in a business aspect. So days are meaningless....