Addison explores garden market idea

Addison resident and avid gardener Sharmi Trivedi said fruits and vegetables greatly improved her health in recent years, but she worries in this economy many Addison residents can’t afford the growing price of produce.

“It seems prices have gone up 25 to 30 percent in recent years, maybe more, and common people cannot really afford this,” she said.

So this spring Trivedi approached Addison officials about starting a garden market, where Addison gardeners with extra produce could sell their food at affordable prices. Village leaders said they launched a traditional farmers market about seven years ago and held it for roughly two years, but it never really caught on with residents.

Trivedi said now is a different time economically and her idea has a different, local spin. Addison officials agreed.

“Practically all of us know neighbors who plant things for fun, then have too much and give it away to friends or family,” village spokeswoman Doree Krage said. “We would like to provide the space where these local gardeners can take those tomatoes, cucumbers and other food and hopefully make a few dollars.”

Krage said this is unlike Addison’s previous farmers market, which typically featured professional growers and vendors who travel each week to markets in different towns.

“That’s why we’re using the term ‘garden market,’ to differentiate it from the professional farmers markets,” she added.

Trivedi said she’s heard from about five gardeners since working with the village to publicize the idea. She hopes both growers and buyers will reach out with feedback, so organizers can know if it’s a viable venture.

“The whole idea behind this is go green, keep people healthy, and make use of unused land,” Trivedi said. “Six or seven years ago when Addison had its original farmers market, that was a different time. Today people are more health conscious. And gardeners always have more than we need, sometimes people don’t know what to do with the excess. Our prices could be cheaper than the stores.”

Residents interested in the Addison Garden Market should email Sharmi Trivedi at sharmi_trivedi@yahoo.com.