By Doug Staggs
Nov. 18, 2016

In recent years, farmers markets around the country have grown in popularity as people desire to have a better understanding and connection to where and how their food and other consumables are produced. This resurgence has fueled a thriving relationship between consumers and the farmers, ranchers and other artisans that produce items that can be found in these markets.

Held by organizers of the Old Cheney Road Farmers Market, the indoor Holiday Harvest Farmers Market seeks to provide that hard to find local food connection in the winter. The series will grow to three events this season, the most ever put on.

The Old Cheney Road Farmers Market can be found in the parking lot north of the Lincoln Racquet Club every Sunday from April to the end of October. In addition to their normal season, they have added additional markets for the holiday season.

According to Megan Jackson, market manager for the Old Cheney Road Farmers Market, the Holiday Market began in 2013 and has grown every year since its inception. With its beginning at the Auld Pavilion, the Holiday Market saw immediate demand for the products being offered. The event was packed, and entrance had to be managed to not exceed the permit for people allowed in the building at one time.

[slickr-flickr tag=”FM15″ size=”large”] Photos of the 2015 Holiday Harvest Farmers Market (courtesy photos)./i>

Due to the popularity of the market, it sold out of all products within two hours. This spurred the addition of market market weekends and expanded the producers available at the event. In 2015, they received a grant from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to help promote extending the season for producers. The organization also added a partnership with Lone Tree Foods which handles online ordering for the event. This made it possible for customers to order certain quantities of products to be available for pickup at the events.

This year, they have added the ability of customers to use SNAP (up to $10) benefits at the market. This will allow users of SNAP to be able to purchase fresh products from any of the market weekends. As always, cash and credit are accepted and leftover tokens from the regular Old Cheney Road Farmers Market will also be accepted at the Holiday Markets.

Holiday Farmers Markets will be held November 20th, December 4th and 18th at Park Centers Banquet Hall, 2608 Park Blvd. Much like the warm-weather markets, the Holiday Market will feature fresh produce, meats, cheeses and other artisanal items like gelato, baked goods, and preserved foods from local producers. And as always, the markets will feature live music.

Holiday Farmers Market Performer Schedule:

November 20th:
Midnight Wanderers (10-11:30am)
Bottle Tops (12-2pm)

December 4th:
Star City Strings (10-11:30)

December 18th:
Time Burners (10-11:30)
Star City Strings (12-2)

Event Info:

Where: Park Centers Banquet Hall (2608 Park Blvd. Lincoln, NE)
When:November 20, December 4 and December 8 (10am-2pm)
More info:Facebook.
Vendor/Producer Information Contact: Megan Jackson, market manager and OldCheneyRoadFarmersMarket.com.

Doug Staggs is one of KZUM’s tireless fall interns.