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Editor's note: The following story was submitted by contributing writer Dale Smith:
Photos by Dale Smith
Sue Ross and Bob Mitchell of New Smyrna Beach pick up fresh lettuce and tomatoes from Logan Laurino, of Laurino Produce of Samsula, at the United Church of Christ's farmer's market, which had its debut on Saturday.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The debut of the United Church of Christ Community Farmers Market brought smiles to Sharon Sturms on Saturday morning.
Sturms walked among the crowd that had gathered early for the opening of the newest venue where produce, homemade kettle corn, sweets, treats, fresh fish, and attractive jewelry, among many other items, were for sale.
She proclaimed the grand opening "a success." Just a few blocks away, the New Smyrna Beach Farmers Market was going gangbusters as it usually does each Saturday morning.
The market had moved from its original site from the Chamber of Commerce's parking lot to the front of City Hall on Sams Avenue. The move was necessitated by the start of renovations of the chamber's building on Canal Street.
The New Smyrna Beach Farmers Market is now located on Sams Avenue in front of City Hall until sometime next year. The market is normally held in the parking lot of the Chamber of Commerce off Canal Street, but that building will soon be renovated and the parking lot will be closed as a result.
The market will stay in its new location until the building is completed sometime next year. Shoppers seemed to enjoy having two markets going on at the same time. Many were seen walking from one venue to the other with both markets offering different kinds of items for sale.
At the church, the New Smyrna Beach Middle School held a fundraiser with money going toward the purchase of new band uniforms.
A lot of attention was also focused on the fresh produce from Laurino Produce of Samsula. The sprawling tables overflowed with homegrown produce as brothers Rocco and Logan Laurino were kept busy helping the customers.
"Our family has been growing and selling produce locally now for 34 years," Rocco Laurino said. "We're happy to be a part of the new market."
Several tents down from Laurino's tables sat Molly's Old Tyme Kettle Corn vendors Bill and Karen Marshall.
Named after their granddaughter Molly, the kettle corn is made by the Marshalls and features several flavors, including white cheddar and caramel.
"This corn pops up like mushroom caps," Bill Marshall said. "It's bulkier than the movie theater popcorn but it's just as light and flavorful."
Fidler Farm and Produce, a former vendor with the New Smyrna Beach Farmers Market, relocated its Saturday morning business to the UCC's market and was doing a brisk business. Freshly picked green string beans was going for a bargain $1.50 a pound.
The UCC market organizers plan to add more vendors as the weeks go on. Sturms, who was selling her natural goat's milk soaps and handmade jewelry, said as word spreads, she expects the market will become even busier.
Mary from Mary and Tony's Sweet Treats of Jacksonville concurred. "With the holidays approaching we anticipate a busy time ahead," she said referring to their popular nuts featuring flavors of almonds and pecans, cinnamon, praline and spicy chili. Their bars include pecan pie, coconut macaroon, chocolate chips and key lime.
"Our packaged treats are perfect to send to family members at Christmas," she said.
About the contributing writer:
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Dale Smith is a resident of New Smyrna Beach, who has reported on local news in Volusia County since October 2009. His writing background includes a mix of journalism and public relations in several community newspapers and a p.r. firm in northern Virginia. He attended Barton Academy in Barton, Vt., and the Cambridge (Mass.) School of Broadcasting for radio & TV broadcasting.