Amish Farmers Market Comes to Aberdeen

Aberdeen is about to join the ranks of other fortunate cities and towns in Harford County that have a local farmers market.

If you've never been to a farmers market, imagine rows of folding tables brimming with fresh produce and fruits, freshly baked breads, beautiful plants and hanging baskets—all in an open-air bazaar.

After several years of attempting to organize a market, the Aberdeen City Council finally announced last week that an Amish farmers market will be established in Festival Park each Friday between 3-7 p.m.

This first market will take place this Friday, July 29, and will run every week through October.

If the market is anything like sister city Havre de Grace's Saturday morning farmers market, it will be a place where the community comes together each week.

Bel Air has also had a successful farmers market for years, which many residents and visitors enjoy each week through the fall months.

The benefits of farmers markets can be many, if they are supported by the community where they're established. There are the obvious reasons farmers markets are popular—fresh food easily available (and within walking distance for some downtown residents).

But there are other positive impacts as well.

Environmental benefits include the reduction of packaging on fruits and vegetables that people may normally purchase at a grocery store. For consumers, a farmers market with fresh produce readily available can inspire healthy cooking in a household where nutrition may not normally be a high priority.

For a community, a local farmers market gives residents an alternative option to grocery stores, which can be more cost-friendly (especially in an economy where fruit and vegetable prices have skyrocketed).

Markets can make a downtown area more vibrant and attract business retailers looking for a healthy consumer base.

They're also a great place to meet friends and family for a weekly meet-up or just to socialize with other people from the community.

Many "foodies" love that farmers markets offer the unique chance to meet the people actually growing the products they cook and serve.

Though Friday is the flagship market and it will likely take some time to determine its popularity, the first week is still exciting and a great opportunity for residents to show their support.

Whether you consider yourself an at-home chef, a veggie-lover, are looking for something new or just enjoy getting out of the house, come out and see what it's all about.