BY BRANDY TEMPLETON
The Rotary Farmers Market kicked off its 51st season last Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The official opening ceremony included a tribute to two farmers who were instrumental in the market’s success. Jim Garreau and Carol Whitley both passed away in the last six months, but they left their marks on the market. Garreau grew blueberries while Whitley brought a variety of canned goods.
Farmers Market Chair Rhyne Scott remembers both fondly and said they are greatly missed. “They both were here for years,” he shared.
Around a dozen vendors were present Saturday offering everything from fruits and vegetables to canned goods, honey, flowers, baked goods, meat, and coffee.
Scott, the general manager of Randy Marion Chevrolet and Randy Marion Ford-Lincoln in Statesville, cares about the farmers and knows what products each sells. He enjoys working with them to provide the market for area residents.
“They have to grow it themselves and abide by the NC Cooperative Extension’s rules, getting a grower certificate,” Scott said. “All produce is properly vetted.”
Nothing can be sold that was not homegrown or bought elsewhere.
A $100 per year fee lets the vendors set up with all the proceeds going towards organizing food- based community service.
One such service helps elderly.
“We partner with the state’s senior nutrition program that helps qualifying seniors get fresh produce,” Scott explained.
Local resident Deborah P. Jones thinks the market is wonderful and has many good memories of her visits. The daughter of Whitley, she canned and sold for many years with her mother.
Now that her mother is gone, she’s going to keep selling and help keep her mom’s memory alive.
“She was a member here for over a decade,” Jones. “She told me not to let her business go down and not to lose her stuff.”
For all those years, Jones was the grower and her mom was the seller.
Now Jones has both jobs — and lots of good memories.
“My mom canned three kinds of pickles three weeks before she died,” Jones said. “She loved being here.”
Located at the corner of West Front Street and Meeting Street in Statesville, the Rotary Farmers Market is open from 7 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturdays from May – October.
Rotary lends a head at Iredell Adult Day Services
The Rotary Club of Statesville helps others by doing service projects.
On Saturday, a small group of Rotarians served Iredell Adult Day Services, located at 502 Brevard Street in Statesville.
The motto of Rotary is “Service Above Self.”
“Every quarter we choose a different service project to do,” Scott explained. “It can be anything from landscaping, painting, or serving a meal.”
The group spent time trimming, planting Hibiscus, and doing other things to beautify the center.
Director Deborah Howell was grateful for the Rotarians’ efforts, saying how important the adult day services are.
Serving those 18 and up, the organization provides a safe environment that promotes activities and helps monitor medical conditions.
“It’s a tremendous asset to caregivers,” Howell said. “It allows them to get back to their careers while knowing their loved ones are safe and being taken care of.”