Traders’ Point Green Market – A Proprietor Run Commercial Supporting Farmers’ Market

This picture looks north toward the Creamery Building. Customers park to the west. To the right of the farmers’ tents is a pavilion where farmers’ market products are used to create dinners that can be bought during farmers’ market hours. The setting is a cross between an outdoor cafe and a family barbeque, as customers sit on the deck adjacent to the farmers’ market booths.

At the farmers’ market, some farmers bring in farm animals for children to interact with. Farmer Sharritt had a “Rent-A-Chick” program last spring, where children could adopt a baby chick and take it home for a week. Another farmer brought in baby goats for children to pet. The cows of Traders Point Creamery can be seen as they are milked in the creamery’s facilities. They enter the smaller green building which is the milking parlor. The bottling process is also open for viewing through a large plate glass window. The cows can also be seen grazing in fields to the east.

As a part of the creamery, Traders Point Green Market, “features small scale and sustainable growers and producers who are certified organic, transitional organic, or pledge not to have used synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics or hormones” (http://www.tpforganics.com). There are three main attractions to this event. The organic creamery is the central operation. The “green” farmers market draws in more people who are looking for fresh vegetables, meats and cheeses. A mostly organic dinner is also available which adds to the atmosphere and draws many people to this event. It is obvious that this market is one of three activities, brought together to draw and share a base of customers.

The summer event takes place from 4:00pm to 7:00pm every Friday. It runs from May to late October. This farmers’ market is located just outside of northwest of Indianapolis. It is an event that promotes Trader’s Point Creamery, an organic dairy that sells milk, cheese, and yogurt throughout Indiana.

Vendors set up their booths in a grassy field in front of the creamery during fair weather. If foul weather is expected, vendors set up in a large barn. The area surrounding is pasture, farmland and the rural fringe of the city. It is located about 2 miles from large new development and shopping areas of Indianapolis. There are no crafts vendors allowed, however, value added agricultural products such as lotions and cooked foods are allowed if produced by the vendor.

The winter market takes place every Saturday morning (except Christmas and New Years days) from 9am to 12pm in the creamery loft. It runs from November through March. A breakfast is provided, while farmers with an extended crop season sell their produce. Other vendors sell meat, honey, lotions, pastries and cooked food items with a lighter dependence on the growing season.

The majority of customers are families with young children. In the main building of the creamery, one can watch the milk production from the milking to the bottling, viewed through plate glass windows. It provides an educational experience for both children and adults
The farmers are charged $100 yearly for a booth space to vend and $200 for truck space. They can also pay $12 for a single market. Market guidelines state that products must be grown in-state. Market guidelines state that products cannot be resold. Products must have organic or natural certification or be approved by the administrator.