Farmers' Market deemed a success

Thank you Village of Williamsville residents and beyond for your enthusiastic weekly support that made our first annual Farmers' Market at the Williamsville Mill a successful and enriching experience for us all.

It was a pleasure to bring you farmers from the Northtowns to the Southtowns. We cherished the personal exchange between farmer and customer. You won't find a farmer handing you a tomato at your grocery store. The traveling time from farm to market is minimal, ensuring delicious, fresh-tasting food. We plan on adding a cheese vendor next year, with a few more surprises in store for you as well.

We learned that a farmers' market abundantly contributes to a community. As a community gathers, creative energy just happens. Our local businesses reported an increase in sales on Saturdays.

Neighbors meeting neighbors for a fresh brewed cup of coffee created lively circles of friendship. Some of our community's children were motivated to start a market newsletter that touched our hearts from week to week. Local musicians and children's activities added to a unique environment. Even as it rained on the last market day, children danced in the street proving spirits cannot be dampened at the market.

Offering locally grown fruits and vegetables, baked goods, fresh cut flowers, wine from our local vineyards, homemade pasta and so much more hopefully added to your quality of life.

A sincere thank you to our volunteers, the Farmers' Market Committee, the Department of Public Works, the Williamsville Business Association, attorney David Brody and Mayor Mary Lowther for their constant support and guidance.

We all look forward to the Farmers' Market's continued growth, and we're confident our support will grow by leaps and bounds in 2008.

Lynn Schwab and

Ellie Grenauer Market coordinators