Recent News

Campaign announces the hiring of an Executive Director -
December 10, 2008
Casey Corbin has joined the campaign, bringing twenty years of fundraising experience to the push for a permanent market pavilion. With $200,000 raised so far, all involved are excited about this next step toward success. Read more in the Columbia Daily Tribune, and look for more information on this site soon

Farm Hands 2009 Calendar now available - September 20, 2008

This beautiful calendar honors the farmers and producers who make local agriculture possible, and offers support for their future. Featuring photography by Dan Hemmelgarn, each month captures the hands of market vendors as they go about their work and lives.

All proceeds from sales go directly toward the Farmers Market Pavilion Campaign. Click the image above to learn more about the calendar, and where you can purchase one (including online).

Imagine the Farmers Market Party - Saturday, July 26

(Photo by Dory Colbert)

Thanks to the thousands of people who helped us kick off the public fundraising campaign for the market pavilion. We walk throughed the potential pavilion, outlined in lights and tents on its future footprint. We sampled a wide variety of locally grown and produced food and drink. We enjoyed local bands and a special outdoor film screening. Most of all, we explored and shared our visions of the market.

About the Food: Samples of mid-Missouri fare

The event featured free tastings from a wide-ranging menu of locally-sourced fare, presented by area chefs & restaurants. Visitors were treated to the wide variety of foods and ingredients available from the Columbia Farmers Market!

Hemingway’s Wine and Bistro: Brian James - Corn and Mushroom Risotto Sycamore: Mike Odette - Heirloom Tomato & Cucumber Gazpacho
Uprise Bakery: Ron Rottinghaus - Blueberry Buckle
Annie’s Breads: Annie Humphreys - Zucchini Bread
Goatsbeard Farms: Ken & Jen Muno - Fresh Goat Cheese on Uprise Baguette Slow Food Katy Trail: Bernadette Dryden - Fresh Salsa and Local Chips Walkabout Acres: Art and Vera Gelder - Honey Ice Cream
Danjo Farms: Dan Nelson - Ham & Veggie Frittata
Hoss’s Market and Rotisserie: Pete Koukola - Dollar Sandwiches
University Catering: Dennis Clay - Goat Cheese tart with Heirloom Tomato and Basil Relish
Main Squeeze: Leigh Lockhart - Summer Coleslaw
Shepherdsfield Bakery: Vicki Staudenmyer - Granola
Les Bourgeouis Bluff Top Bistro: Ben Clay - Char Siu Pork Sliders
Les Bourgeouis Vineyard: Wine
Coopers Oak Winery: Wine
Boulevard Beer: Beer
Lakota Coffee: Skip DuCharme -Coffee

About the Film: Tableland

"Tableland is a culinary expedition in search of the people, place, and taste of North American small-scale, sustainable food production."

This newly released film premiered in December of 2007 in Canada, with US screenings in New York, California, and Oregon. Tableland recently won the Best Feature Film Award at the NYC Food Film Festival. It was a special treat that we received permission from the director to screen the film in Columbia. . Read more at: http://www.p1-productions.com/tableland.html#

Fundraising Status: As of late June, 2008, the campaign has compiled over $200,000 in donations, grants, and pledges.

EBT & Debit at Market: The Columbia Farmers Market is now accepting debit cards and EBT cards as another demonstration of its commitment to increasing the availability of fresh, healthy, local foods to the entire community.

Record Customer Counts: More than 4,000 customers a day have been shopping at the Saturday markets since May, a level that in the past was reached only a few times a year, at the peak of summer. One Saturday in June reached 5,000. Interest in local foods is clearly on the rise.

Calendar of Events

July 19: Cornfest at the Columbia Farmers Market, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Come enjoy grilled local sweet corn and other fun activities.

July 26: Imagine the Farmers Market party, 7:00-11:00 p.m. Walk through a lighted outline of the pavilion, sample local food & drink, enjoy local musicians and a film, and more. Come join us to explore the possibilities of the market!

October 18: Pie auction. Come out to the market Saturday morning to bid on fresh, wonderful pies donated by area chefs! Always a good time and a great treat to bring home.