Farmer’s Market vendors enjoy sense of community, friendly competition

With more than 150 vendors, the Lincoln Farmer's Market in the Haymarket can easily be overwhelming. White tents line the streets, pressing hundreds of people into narrow rows. Vendors are given the chance to enhance their advertising, appeal to the masses and, above all, sell their product. There are many ways for a vendor to make a sales pitch, but variations seem to depend on the product. Established Lincoln businesses take a very different approach to sales than rural vendors selling fresh produce.

Despite the vendors' differences, they all come together to create a sense of community that has become commonplace at the Farmer's Market.

Great Harvest Bread Co. is an example of an established business in the market. It sets up booths and focuses primarily on price and taste. The bakery, which is located on 48th Street and Old Cheney Road, is known for the thick slices of sweet and savory bread it gives away to customers who approach the stand. While the free samples draw people in, it's something else that keeps the business up and running.

"I think the primary reason is because it tastes so good," owner Kevin Horne said. "We have a good-tasting product, and we have unique breads."  Another draw for Great Harvest is the bakery is locally owned and operated, and "everything is baked from scratch with no additives or preservatives every day."

PJ's Babycakes is an established cupcake business that draws people by setting its prices low.

"It's not often you can go down there with a dollar and get a large-sized cupcake," said Amanda Bragg, the bakery owner.

Family-owned farms take a far different approach to selling their products. Robinette Farms, located in Martell, Neb., sells everything from roots and greens to herbs and honey. What sets the farm apart from others, according to owner Alex McKiernan, is the pork.

"There are very few, if any vendors, that sell meat," he said.

Robinette Farms also stresses the use of all organic methods, which is one of the things that their competitor, Martin Farms, uses as a marketing point as well.

Organic material isn't the only thing that Martin Farms is proud of. It also specializes in the sale of plants that produce food, as well as a wide array of fruits, vegetables, berries and nuts.

"We have a large family, so it's more of a large family farm," said owner Heather Martin. "Even our kids are involved."

While the Farmer's Market brings out the best in friendly competition between vendors, businesses or family farms, it is also responsible for creating a large sense of community that allows companies to grow.

"As we continued to grow, it was the Farmer's Market that allowed us to continue," Bragg said. "We love it down there, we love the other vendors and the relationships we've grown."  

The sense of community and the ability to interact with customers on the street is one of the things that each vendor seems to value.

"The Farmer's Market is part of who Lincoln is," Horne said. "We want to be a part of the community, as well."

adrienneanderson@dailynebraskan.com