Farmers markets turning year-round in parts of south metro

Minnesotans love to shop local for food, and these days it's becoming easier to do so, even when the state is covered in snow.

Farmers markets are extending their seasons through the winter months. Eagan's Winter Market Fest, housed in the city's Community Center, runs every other Saturday from November until March. It is starting its second season.

"We had a lot of public requests to add an indoor market after the outdoor market," said Kerry Phillips, recreation supervisor and Market Fest coordinator for the city of Eagan.

The summer Market Fest draws about 3,000 people weekly, said Phillips. Officials decided to expand after seeing the success of other indoor markets in the Twin Cities, such as one in Bloomington.

"It's definitely been growing within the last couple years," said Bloomington recreation supervisor Jill Murphy of that city's winter farmers market, which runs in November and December. "I think people are just getting familiar with it."

State officials say the number of winter markets rose from 12 in 2013 to 23 in 2014.

Jesse Davis, of the Minnesota Farmers Market Association, credited "the cottage foods bill and the pickle bill." Legislation allows limited sales of certain home-canned and home-processed foods, such as baked goods, at farmers markets, if vendors make less than $5,000 annually.

"A lot of people don't think of fresh produce in the winter," Phillips said. However, like other winter markets, in Eagan there's produce such as potatoes, carrots, rutabaga, par­snips, cabbage, winter squash, onions, beets and turnips all season.

The Eagan Winter Market draws fewer people than the one in the summer, said Phillips, 350 to 400 customers a week.

Still, some producers find it worth it.

"A lot of customers like to get my product through the whole season," said Aaron Brand, of Brand Farms in Farmington. "If I have the product, I might as well go."

Linda Filonowich, of Eagan, who was buying bags of apples from his stand, said she was one of those loyal customers.

Brandee Hanson, of Crystal, started working on recipes this past January for all-natural flavorings for her Sodastream beverages. She wanted to use local products in her Bee Brews, so she connected with Honey Hill Farms in Hinckley for her syrups. Her most popular flavor, she said, is ginger-lime.

Angie Lederle, of Jordan, said that after baking for her sister's wedding, she got hooked on making sweets and now sells under the brand Lady A's Cupcakes.

"I kind of put it on hold and thought it was a fad," she said. However, after a while she took it up again and started selling at farmers markets. This month Lederle is opening a storefront in Belle Plaine.

Chrissy Wheeler, of Apple Valley, offers scented soaps, bath fizzies, lotion bars and other products. Wheeler said she started making soap a few years ago, as favors for guests at her wedding.

"Sunshine," an orange- and yuzu-scented soap, is her most popular. A close second is lemon grass and spearmint.

Sales have been comparable to summer markets, she said.

Other vendors at the Eagan market sell items like pierogies, pork products, breads, tea, organic dog treats, barbecue sauce, smoked salmon, lefse, spice rubs, and sweet and savory strudel.

The Eagan Winter Market Fest runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.