Centerville’s farmers market aims to build on last year’s inaugural success with a few changes.
Courtney Matthews told Centerville council members at their Feb. 25 work session that the market is now a subcommittee of the nonprofit Main Street Centerville organization.
With council’s permission, the market returns to Crown Creek Boulevard, a couple blocks north of downtown U.S. 40 and Maplewood Park. It’s open from 4-7 p.m. Saturdays from June through October. The only week off occurs during August’s Archway Days festival.
Market organizers are now working with Reid Health in hopes of securing an incentive for customers to use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
Reid doubles the SNAP dollars used at other local nonprofit markets, helping recipients stretch their grocery dollars for fresh produce, meats, baked goods and other qualifying foods.
Matthews said those doubled bucks would bring more food opportunity within walking distance for a lot of Centerville residents. Centerville has convenience stores and eateries but no grocery store.
During a recent vendors’ meeting, a large percentage of 2024 vendors have indicated they’ll return, and she believes doubled SNAP benefits could draw more area vendors. Vendor fees are reinvested into the market.
Matthews said the market is offered on Saturday afternoons to avoid conflicting with other Saturday morning farmers markets.
Council also agreed to waive the market’s utility costs for restrooms and electricity.
When the farmers market opened last year, Wayne County Railroaders Association changed volunteers’ hours at their historic caboose and model train display to more closely match those of the adjacent market last year. They intend to do so again.
A version of this article appeared in the March 5 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.