Farmers market opens for the season Saturday

The Tucumcari Farmers Market has a new manager as it opens for the season at 10 a.m. Saturday in Wailes Park.

Market manager Jonna Stanger said she has 15 to 17 vendors lined up, though they won’t be present all at once due to varying growing conditions.

Stanger said among the offerings Saturday will be locally raised beef, garlic, beans, sourdough bread, strawberry jam, cookies, soaps and candles.

She acknowledged some produce vendors are struggling with damage from hail and grasshoppers.

“So while we may have lower than hoped-for offerings, we are asking the public stick with us and support us through these hard times,” she wrote in an email.

The market Saturday also will hold a 50/50 raffle that will continue through its conclusion at noon.

The Tucumcari Farmers Market has drawn as many as 400 people on its opening weekend.

The market convenes at the east-side park at 10 a.m. each Saturday and at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through the end of the season on Oct. 19.

The market also will host a treasure hunt on July 20, a Kids Day on July 27, a cookout on Aug. 10, live music on Aug. 27, a cake walk on Aug. 24, Crazy Hat Day on Sept. 7, Club Day on Sept. 14, and a recipe collection book giveaway on Oct. 12.

Kathleen Box had been scheduled to be the market’s manager this year, but she died on May 12 at age 70.

Stanger, who with her husband operates Heavy Meadow Farms near Hudson and Logan, took over the position at the urging of Kathleen’s husband Phillip Box.

“This has been a bit of a trial by fire,” Stanger said in a phone interview, noting she has a full-time job as a paralegal in the middle of her busy season. “It’s moving along, sometimes at a snail’s pace.”

Stanger said vendors will be able to accept WIC and food-stamp payments.

She was hopeful the market would take Double Up Food Bucks, but it faces tight deadlines for the setup.

“I’m praying hard,” she said.

Stanger is offering first-time agricultural producers a free table at the market for one time. Those producers should email her at [email protected] to schedule a date for their table.

Stanger went to the Tucumcari City Commission last month to request a portable bathroom and water access at Wailes Park.

She said last week that Tucumcari Municipal Golf Course manager Charlie Maciel is providing a portable bathroom, and she was confident city officials would come through with water at the park.

“Luckily, every part of the bureaucracy has been helpful,” she added.

Stanger said the market’s opening weekend isn’t offering as many special features as in previous years because it is “cash poor” from the COVID-19 pandemic and other setbacks.

The Tucumcari Farmers Market was ranked No. 1 in New Mexico before the pandemic.

Stanger set up a new Facebook page for the market, Tucumcari Route 66 Farmers Market, where she will post information from time to time.