The West Virginia University-Roane County Extension Service will hold a public information meeting later this month on how to revive the Walton farmers' market, which disbanded in 2014.
The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on March 30 in the Walton Community Building.
The market ran on Thursday evenings from 2012 to 2014 until "dismal sales, low market vendor participation and customer traffic" forced it to disband, according to a news release on the meeting. Bad growing seasons and an inconsistent product supply were also a factor, it said.
Since then, community members have expressed interest in reviving the market as an economic and community center.
"Along with citizens in the Walton community, several employees from the school, bank, and surrounding businesses make an ideal customer base for fruit and vegetable growers, egg and meat producers, bakers, and other value-added producers in the area to market their products," said Brandy Brabham, a WVU-Roane County Extension Agent, in the release. "With no grocery store in the community and only a couple general stores and convenience stores nearby, local residents need more access to fresh fruits and vegetables."
Vendors such as home gardeners, greenhouse operators, flower gardeners, homemade baked goods producers and local meat producers are all sought to participate. Vendors do not have to live within Roane County to be a part of the market.
The market will start in the summer, with tentative dates set for Wednesday evenings. Potential vendors must have an approved application in the WVU Extension office before they can sell. To learn more, call the WVU-Roane County Extension office at 304-927-0975.