Pictured is Mike Bauer of Evolution Marketing at last year’s Oconomowoc Farmers Market. The summer farmers market is different from some others around the county, because it is operated by the Oconomowoc Chamber of Commerce and focuses on interaction between local businesses and producers in the market. Submitted photo

OCONOMOWOC - The Oconomowoc Farmers Market is getting a fresh start on the season Saturday, starting in a new location with additional vendors.

“We see (the market) as a service and we want to encourage people to think locally,” Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Katie Miller said. “We want to create synergy by having them buy local and stay local.”

Many farmers markets around the county are run by a committee of farmers and vendors, while the city’s market is run by the chamber.

“Our structure versus other markets ... there is an interface with the businesses in the community and with the farmers market,” Lisa Geason-Bauer, market planning committee chair, said. Some businesses sponsor and also set up booths at the market.

It will be located in the municipal parking lot behind the Avenue Square Mall, behind Wisconsin Avenue and next to Cross Street. Miller stated signs will be put up to remind people of the new location. There also will be signs reminding them not to park in that lot overnight on Fridays when the market runs. The market will operate from 7:30 a.m. until noon every Saturday through Oct. 26.

It was able to expand by 10 vendors spots and 10 artisan row spots in its new location. Last year’s market had more than 30,000 participants in the 24 weeks it was operational.

Pictured is squash and zucchini from Barbara Gillich of Gillich’s Produce at last year’s Oconomowoc Farmers Market. Gillich is known for featuring 28 varieties of peppers. Submitted photo

Arlene Hoffman is a longtime farmers market vendor and she sells honey, creamed honey, comb honey, beeswax and seasonal vegetables.

“For the beekeeping, I do everything myself,” the 68-year-old said. “And I start all of my own plants from seeds and we garden naturally.”

She said the chamber has worked well with the vendors over the years and she is excited to see the new venue.

 

Will also have market monitor

“Something new that is different from other markets is that we have a market monitor,” Miller said.

Kristina Manke will be on-site for every market, answering questions about the area and greeting the public, as well as making sure safety regulations are being met, that the market is clean and the vendors are in attendance.

Pictured are flowers from last year’s Oconomowoc Farmers Market.   Submitted photo

 

Peppers, pizza, coffee and much more

Barbara Gillich of Gillich’s Produce will feature 28 different types of peppers this year. Gillich has other vegetables and hanging plant baskets as well. She also wants to see what the new move will bring.

“A lot of people walk to the market from the local area to pick up their veggies on their way home and it will probably just put them on a slightly different route, but it shouldn’t make much difference,” she said.

The market also will have concessions including Flying Cow Pizza, Glory Beans Coffee and Xiong Family Foods.

The chamber will be working with the Downtown Oconomowoc Business Association to put on separate events to create a large draw for craft-lovers around the Lake Country area by hosting several artisans on Saturdays.

Arlene Hoffman makes her own line of bee products including honey and wax that she brings to the Oconomowoc Farmers Market.    Submitted photo

Lori Reed of Lakerz Pub & Eatery has been working on hosting artisans the second and fourth Saturdays starting June 8 through Oct. 26, in correspondence with the chamber’s artisan row.

Miller said the market will allow nonprofits to set up booths for selling beverages to raise funds and provide marketgoers with additional information about themselves. Educational programming will also be offered. For an up-to-date list of activities, go to www.oconomowoc.org.

 

At a glance

What: Oconomowoc Summer Farmers Market
Who: Hosted by Oconomowoc Chamber of Commerce
When: 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays through October
Where: Municipal parking lot behind 175 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Cost: Free and open to the public
Information: 567-2666, www.oconomowoc.org
 

Gillich’s stove top Zsa Zsa recipe: 

* 4 Zsa Zsa peppers

* 2 pounds ground chuck

* 1/2 cup of long grain rice

* 1/2 cup of chopped sweet onions (optional)

* Salt and pepper to taste

Combine in a large bowl. Scoop meat mixture out with a table spoon to make 1 1/2 inch- to 2-inch meatballs. Place meatballs in the bottom of two 10-inch Dutch kettles. 

Wash and quarter the peppers. Place pepper slices between the meatballs. Cover meatballs with tomato juice, approximately two quarts. Cover kettles and bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low and simmer for one hour on stove top. Rotate meatballs every 15 minutes. Can be served with mashed potatoes and serves four to six people. 

(Recipe courtesy of Barbara Gillich of Gillich’s Produce)

Email: agramza@conleynet.com