Moore Farm Market Returns

Farmers Market Returns After Year Hiatus

BY: CHRIS PLANK BY: CHELSEY KOPPARI

The City of Moore is partnering with Cleveland County to host the Moore Farm Market, which will be held at the multi-purpose pavilion in Central Park, located at 700 S. Broadway. The market will be held on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon from May 4 through Sept. 21.

Tara McClain, who serves as Cleveland County market manager and oversees the Norman Farm Market, is also spearheading the Moore Farm Market. The City of Moore Parks and Recreation staff had overseen the market in past years but opted to skip 2023 to evaluate their options and seek assistance from prosperous markets in the area. They were thrilled to partner with Cleveland County and enlist the help of McClain as farmers markets are her sole focus.

“Farmers markets are really a passion of mine,” shared McClain, whose love for farming came from having her own farm since 2016. “I had all these extra farmers I wanted to give a place to vend, so it made sense that we took over this market too. We have one person completely dedicated to farmers markets, which is different than if someone is trying to do additional events as well.”

The Moore Farm Market will host approximately 50 vendors, McClain said. About half of those are going to offer fresh fruits, vegetables and meats, and another quarter are going to sell breads. There will also be vendors who specialize in artisan crafts. McClain added there are going to be returning vendors who have been at the market in past years, and several vendors are planning to visit both the Moore and Norman markets.

“Almost anything you could get at a grocery store, you’re going to be able to get there,” McClain said. “If you have a favorite vendor at Norman but live closer to Moore, you’ll probably be able to find most of them there. We’re going to have a wine vendor, mushroom vendors, people who do fresh flowers, microgreens, sourdough, plants, really anything you can think of. We are going to have a good variety.”

McClain encourages people to visit farmers markets because of the many benefits to eating local foods, including the positive impact on the consumer, local economy and environment.

“It’s better for the consumer, and it helps out your local economy. That really builds up the community, and farmers markets are also fun. They’re an event, and it’s not just going and buying food,” she said. “You can go to any grocery store and buy food, but you don’t get the camaraderie and you don’t get to meet the people who are raising your food. The vendors care about their customers and do a better job because they know who they’re selling it to.”

To learn more about the Moore Farm Market, visit the City of Moore’s website (cityofmoore.com/departments/parks-recreation/farmers-market) or follow the market on Facebook, @Moore Farm Market.– SMS