Community Resources offers fresh, healthy food at the weekly market | News, sports, jobs

Rondo Shire (left) from Vienna and her granddaughter Baylee Schrucker talked to Rt. 18 Farm Market owner Jerry Brake on Thursday at the weekly market that was sponsored by Community Resources Inc. and set up on the Grand Plaza on Grand Central Avenue. (Photo by Evan Bevins) Debby Matheny from Parkersburg looks at the products on Thursday at the weekly market sponsored by Community Resources Inc. in 601 Grand Plaza, Vienna. (Photo by Evan Bevins) Blueberries, kale, green peppers, tomatoes and more are on display at the farmers’ market on Thursdays from 3pm to 6pm in the 601 Grand Plaza in Vienna (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Community Resources Inc. and FaithLink are holding a farmers’ market on Thursdays from 3pm to 6pm at 601 Grand Plaza in Vienna. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Debby Matheny from Parkersburg looks at the products on Thursday at the weekly market sponsored by Community Resources Inc. in 601 Grand Plaza, Vienna. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

VIENNA – Parkersburg-based Terry Smith attended a farmers market sponsored by Community Resources Inc. for the first time last week.

He expects to be back on Thursday because the tomatoes and zucchini he bought won’t last long if he shares them with his wife and great-granddaughters.

“This is over tomorrow” he said with a laugh.

Starting with the focus on supplying seniors with nutritious food, this year the market returns to produce on Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the 601 Grand Plaza between Grand Central Mall and Walmart in Vienna.

“The goal is to get the children to eat and to involve them in what they eat.” said Melissa Ogden, operations director for community resources.

Blueberries, kale, green peppers, tomatoes and more are presented at the farmers’ market on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the 601 Grand Plaza in Vienna. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

When the market opened on June 17th, children were able to receive a reusable product bag. In the second week, they offered a book of recipes distributed each week by the West Virginia University Extension to show ways to use the products on the market.

This week children can a “Seed bomb” to throw and plant flowers in honor of July 4th.

When someone brings a child to market “When they buy $ 5, they get $ 10 worth of products for free.” said Ogden.

The additional focus on children is due to a grant from the Henry Logan Foundation that enables this year’s market. The PM Company donated the space along Grand Central Avenue like last year.

Ogden said she had already seen some regulars from last year in the first two weeks of this year’s market.

Rondo Shire (left) from Vienna and her granddaughter Baylee Schrucker talked to Rt. 18 Farm Market owner Jerry Brake on Thursday at the weekly market that was sponsored by Community Resources Inc. and set up on the Grand Plaza on Grand Central Avenue. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

The produce comes from Rt. 18 Farmers Market in Troy, Gilmer County. Owner Jerry Brake said he has worked with community resources for several years.

“We grow everything we sell” he said.

The market accepts cash, credit and debit cards, and the benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

In addition to the fresh produce for sale, WVU Extension is offering free tastings and a different community partner organization will be present each week. Most recently it was Habitat for Humanity and the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department’s women’s, infant and children’s program.

The market is set up every Thursday through October 7th, and Ogden hopes it will return next year, provided grants are available.

Community Resources Inc. and FaithLink are holding a farmers’ market on Thursdays from 3pm to 6pm at 601 Grand Plaza in Vienna. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Evan Bevins can be reached at [email protected].

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