La Porte Farmer’s Market Looks to Bring Tradition and Fun to La Porte County

La Porte Farmer’s Market Looks to Bring Tradition and Fun to La Porte County

Farmer's Markets have become an important part of small towns and cities across the country. The ability to have access to a selection of fresh, nourishing food provided by local farmers and businesses has attracted the attention of people looking to eat healthier and support small businesses.

The La Porte County Farmer's Market is ready to make a comeback on May 7th, with a variety of new selections, performers, and activities designed to bring together the people or La Porte and the rest of Northwest Indiana. People can come for food, fun, and the unmistakable experience of a traditional farmer's market.

Farmer's Market Consultant Merrill Marxman has been tasked with taking La Porte's ambitious plans for the farmer's market and turning it into a reality. For Marxman, this represents a tremendous challenge but also a reflection of one of his life's passions.

"La Porte wanted me to take their farmer's market and bring it back to its roots while at the same time bringing in a selection of local businesses that represented the fun atmosphere of the farmer's markets where I came from," says Marxman.

Marxman had previously worked with farmer's markets in Illinois, often managing a large number of businesses, farmers, and crafters who made these markets popular attractions every weekend. It was through these previous opportunities and his family who is currently living in La Porte, that he wished to recreate these fun experiences for La Porte County.

"To me, a farmer's market not only has to offer enough 'market' like businesses and activities to keep people and families interested but also has to give people a reason to keep coming back weekend after weekend, rain or shine," says Marxman.

For Marxman, this opportunity to create a new vision for La Porte's new farmer's market allowed him to cultivate local business and La Porte County mainstays.

"I remember going to Blue Chip Casino, asking them if they wanted to be a part of the market and didn't really expect them to say yes due to them being a larger business," says Marxman. "However, they were quick to say yes, loving the idea of bringing together all of these La Porte County businesses."

Along with Blue Chip Casino, familiar local businesses such as Burn Em' Brewery, Shady Creek Winery, and Packman's Pizza will also be present throughout the market's duration as well as a selection of vegetables, fruit, meat, eggs, baked goods, flowers and on-site prepared local food direct from the producer. There are also a variety of activities planned for all ages including a chili contest, pie eating contest and "Salute to Agriculture" day.

The market was met with an overwhelmingly positive response from both the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Blair Milo, who pledged their support since the beginning of the market revitalization and have continued to support Marxman and the business taking part in the event in a variety of ways.

"I cannot express how tremendously helpful the chamber and the mayor have been during this planning process," says Marxman. "Whether it's been through funding, helping to find other businesses or just keeping interest and morale high, they have been a tremendous help to this farmer's market and have been true believers since the beginning."

LaPorteFarmersMarketLogoThrough Marxman's past experience of working with farmer's markets to his passion of seeing communities come together, Marxman hopes that the La Porte community uses this opportunity to come together and create enduring memories that made him fall in love with farmer's markets years ago.

"I want everyone to have a safe and fun time and for families and people of all ages to enjoy this opportunity to experience the best farmer's market possible," says Marxman.

The La Porte Farmer's Market will feature a preview night on April 28th and will host its grand opening on May 7th and run through October 15th. To learn more about the event and the La Porte Farmer's Market, please visit their Facebook page and their website.