WABASH, IN— Following a successful 2023 market under her second year of management, Market Coordinator Carly Hawkins led the 16th season of the Downtown Wabash Farmers Market to record-breaking heights in vendor attendance, shopper attendance, vendor sales and financial assistance programming. The 2023 market season ran every Saturday from 8 a.m. - noon starting on May 13 - Sept. 30.
Downtown Wabash, Inc., a Nationally Accredited Main Street nonprofit organization operates the Downtown Wabash Farmers Market from its office in Downtown Wabash, Ind. Downtown Wabash, Inc. took ownership of the market in 2007 and since its inception, the market has exponentially grown in vendor and community relations. More than 20,500 shoppers visited the Downtown Wabash Farmers Market in its 21 week-long season.
The 2023 Downtown Wabash Farmers Market generated more than $225,000 in handmade, homemade and homegrown vendor sales. With more than 60 vendors throughout the season, the financial impact on the local economy is significant. According to American Express, 67 cents of every dollar spent at local farms and small businesses stays within the local economy. The economic impact of increased sales with local vendors is notable in Wabash County. In 2023, $150,750 brought in by Downtown Wabash Farmers Market vendors stayed in the local economy.
In addition to market vendors garnering the support from local consumerism, the Downtown Wabash Farmers Market was proud to partner with Double Up Indiana for the season. The market received a $5,000 grant from Double Up Indiana for operations and incentives for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers. For each $1 spent in SNAP at the market, customers earned $1 in Double Up incentives to buy fruits and vegetables. Each customer earned up to $20 per day in Double Up incentives. The goal of the program was to allow local families to purchase fresh, healthy food at affordable prices while also supporting local farmers and local economic growth.
“I’m impressed with the growth the farmers market has seen this year,” said Andrea Zwiebel, Executive Director of Downtown Wabash, Inc. “As a Main Street organization, we host events like the Downtown Wabash Farmers Market as quality of place and liveability efforts. Additionally, the event promotes entrepreneurship and serves as a small business incubator.”
Downtown Wabash Farmers Market Coordinator Carly Hawkins is proud of how far the Market has come since 2007. She said the 16th season of the Downtown Wabash Farmers Market, “was one full of growth and success. The Market grew by vendors to the largest it’s ever been, fitting 41 vendors at max capacity. The community showed up week after week to support local businesses, have hot breakfast with their families, enjoy live music and kids activities, and often after visiting the market, continuing their day venturing through the rest of Downtown Wabash”.
The 2023 Downtown Wabash Farmers Market season was made possible by Top Level Sponsor, Grow Wabash County and Mid Level Sponsors, Parkview Wabash and Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center (WEOC).
