---

If there’s one thing that brings people together it’s a fantastic farmers market and this weekend the Hope Farmers Market is set to debut from 1 to 4 p.m. on the Hope Town Square.

But this isn’t just any farmers market. 

It’s an opportunity to grow community, says organizer Jessica Jacobs.

Over the years Hope has hosted several iterations of the farmers market, most recently on Wednesday afternoons, and each paved the way for the next before shutting down. Prior to the most recent market's organizers moving away, Jacobs volunteered in April to take over the reins.

“This year we are going to do a monthly market on the third Saturday of each month on the Town Square,” she says.

There will be a balance of vendors, including those offering baked goods. At the moment, there is a waitlist for baked good vendors, Jacobs says.

“We may have spaces opening for those,” she says. “If people want to send us their information, we can contact them as we have space open.”

Vendors will set up in the southbound lane of Harrison Street across from the library. Food trucks will occupy parking spaces on the north side of the Square along Washington Street. Parking will be available on the western side and along the periphery in areas that have less impact on the businesses, Jacobs explains.

The idea is to bring people in for everything downtown Hope has to offer, so there’s no sense in blocking traffic to local establishments, she says.

The market rain policy is the event will carry on in light drizzle and rain. However, when thunder and lightning or strong winds enter the mix, it’ll be time to roll up the tents and go home, Jacobs says. With a professional history in disaster response, Jacobs isn’t taking any chances.

When a market is cancelled it will either be postponed to the next day or the following week depending on existing scheduled activities on the Square.

Ultimately, the farmers market is a community event, Jacobs says, envisioning families bringing their children to play and picnic while exploring what the market has to offer each month. At the same time, it’s an opportunity to bring community together young and old to support community and build something great.

Doing good doesn't have to be bold to make a difference as Jacob's collaboration with Whitney Budd at the Student's Fund of Hope has demonstrated. Great things come in subtle packaging as some kiddos in the Hope area recently discovered.

Youngsters who take part in the Student's Fund of Hope Munch Bag program on Monday found $4 in coupons good for fresh market produce, eggs or meat at this weekend's market, Jacobs says. 

For the little ones, each month will feature children’s activities on the bandstand and, sometimes, at the shelter house. This month there will be a story time at 1:30 p.m., Jacobs says.

Her vision of what the market can be is heavily influenced by her own experience with her family and having little ones. But this isn’t a single-focused vision. It’s more of a kaleidoscope of sorts.

After all, it’s the vision of a community that wouldn’t be possible without the support of, well, community.

“We could not make this happen without the support of Heritage of Hope and Miller Insurance,” Jacobs says.

When Jacobs and her family moved to the Hope area six years ago, she brought her love for farmers markets with her and says she frequently attends the markets in Columbus and Shelbyville.  

By no stretch is she a farmer but she does have a green thumb that easily grows produce on a small scale for the family. The lack of pressure to promote and sell frees up time for other things, she says.

“I think part of the challenge with the last couple of years was the organizers were the farmers,” Jacobs says. “And during the busiest time of the year for them.”

That kind of constraint can significantly impact the ability to promote making it difficult to make something sustainable, she adds.

Admittedly, this market premier may not be perfect, but that’s OK and Jacobs says feedback is welcomed.

In addition to vendors, Jacobs says she is also actively seeking volunteers to help with set up, information booth assistance, and tear down. 

“This is something, truly a community market, that hopefully we can build over time,” Jacobs says. “We have such great festivals, we can do a farmers market, too.”

** Potential vendors and volunteer inquiries should be sent to [email protected]. Keep up with the latest Hope Farmers Market news HERE.