By Sarah DeCarlo, CG Lifestyles and People

When picturing the Athens’ Farmers Market, one usually thinks of rows after rows of stands topped by white canopies, with tables overflowing with colorful vegetables and freshly baked goods. However, the view of the Athens Mall parking lot on East State Street is much different on market days this time of year.

The market’s size visibly shrinks, leaving the Athens Mall parking lot looking nearly abandoned compared to months such as September and April, when the market is full of vendors and visitors. Seasonal changes also affect the market’s selection and quality of food.

Chris Chmiel of Integration Acres said during the spring and summer his stand sells fresh cheese, as opposed to the frozen cheese sold in the winter. Private vegetable vendors like Rich Tomsu have a wider variety of goods in the summer as well, including peppers and tomatoes, rather than just standbys like potatoes and garlic bulbs.

By moving into the Athens Mall, the Athens' Farmers Market can avoid winter's chilly winds. Photo by Sarah DeCarlo

The limited food selection during the winter causes some people to make less frequent trips to the Farmers Market. “I feel like I can do more with the vegetables they sell [during warmer months],” said Kira Brown, a sophomore at Ohio University.

When the weather starts getting colder and snow begins to fall, some vendors do not make it out to the East State Street location themselves, because of either a projected lack of sales or weather-related problems.

Tomsu is one vendor who must sometimes skip a Saturday at the Farmers Market. “The vehicle that I have to use to make it into town and back [sometimes] won’t make it,” he said, though he has still managed to make almost all of the market days. He is not alone in this occasional absence. Myra Robinson, a vendor who sells baked goods, makes a point of attending each Saturday, and she said she notices a difference of about 15 to 20 less stands during the winter.

However, something is being done to help the Farmers Market combat the cold this winter. The Athens Mall has opened its doors to those that do make the trip. Over half the vendors that normally frequent the Market have moved indoors, lining the mall’s main aisle with their stands. “I’m really glad to be inside,” Chmiel said. “People hang out longer. It’s like the summer atmosphere.”

This indoor move is not just a luxury for vendors who would otherwise be outside; it has helped the market retain some of its stands. “If we had to stay outside, I probably wouldn’t come,” Robinson said.

Because of the challenges brought on by the winter months, the Farmer’s Market makes noticeably less profit this time of year, but with the move indoors many market vendors hope to attract some new shoppers.

Other vendors, such as Tomsu, elect to remain in their original spots in the mall’s parking lot, despite the weather.

Constantine Faller, a vendor for Athens’ Own, also keeps his spot outside during the winter months because he does not like the commercial location of the Farmer’s Market. “I refuse to go in that mall … it’s like a cancer,” he said. “I don’t even want to be on East State Street.”

Faller’s attitude begs the question: What venue is most appropriate for an event that celebrates sustainability and organically grown foods?

While some brave the cold, most of the Farmers Market vendors have moved inside. Photo by Sarah Decarlo

Chmiel said he thinks the Farmers Market should be in a more agriculturally based location. “It’s fine for now,” he said, “but I wouldn’t mind a more permanent location with trees.”

Other vendors said the market’s current location allows for it to be successful throughout the year. “I think this is a very desirable location,” Tomsu said, “because it’s convenient to a number of people and it’s very spacious.”

Despite the seemingly optimal location, for those without cars the walk or bike ride to the market may seem too unbearable to take in the winter cold. Lack of transportation for customers is another hindrance for the market’s wintertime profits.

“During warmer months I’d be more willing to walk or bike,” said Kira Brown, who also has no car on campus. “Also, because there’s more of a selection [in the summer], I feel like you can strike better deals because there’s more competition.”

With anything that depends on the season, especially with agriculture, changes are inevitable as the months elapse; but with the devotion of the Farmers Market’s persistent customers and the resiliency of Southeast Ohio’s farmers, the cold weather is not enough to keep one of Ohio’s best farmer’s markets from making it through winter’s gray days.