By Chelly Bouferrache
For Lebanon Local
After 13 years at its former location at Grant and Main streets, the Lebanon Downtown Farmer’s Market has shifted to a new site at the corner of Park and Oak, 971 S. Park St., next to Ralston Park.
The city of Lebanon donated the space to accommodate the market’s growth and improve the experience for vendors and visitors following concerns from some downtown businesses about parking availability during market hours. However, other Main Street businesses enjoyed the market’s presence and favored keeping it in its original location.
The market operates Thursdays from 2 to 6 p.m., running from May 15 to Oct. 16. The new location offers more parking, a larger setup area and better visibility, allowing for additional vendors this year. Visitors to the market can find an array of goods, including organic produce, fruits, vegetables, honey, sourdough baked goods, flowering plants, plant starts, tamales, goat milk soap, and fresh and smoked fish, and occasionally live music enhancing the atmosphere. In addition to cash and debit cards, payment options include WIC, SNAP and Farm Direct checks, with the “Double Up Food Bucks” program that doubles SNAP benefits..
Farmer’s Market Manager Belinda Bayne highlighted the benefits, noting, “We got good feedback about parking, we have more room and a few more vendors than we had last year, and room for a few more.”
Attendance has climbed in the first three weeks, and some vendors noticed the difference. Market vendor Tammie Frangente, of Sweet Home Chestnut Farms, observed, “We have more space, we have all the green, I feel like we have actually more people than usual for the first two weeks of the market.”
The move addressed parking concerns while providing room for growth. With plans to expand further by adding a few more vendors, the market continues to serve as a hub for Lebanon, connecting local farmers, food artisans and locals.
For more details and a full vendor list, visit LebanonDowntownFarmersMarket.com, or visit their Facebook page “Lebanon Downtown Farmers Market.”
