New farmers market gaining momentum in Colorado Springs

A new farmers market in Colorado Springs is growing by the week.

Farm Fresh Fridays at Garden of the Gods RV Park is in its first year on Colorado Avenue. In three weeks, the number of vendors has increased from about eight to 20.

Alison Rouse and Sherri Owen came up with the idea to hold a farmers market in the parking lot to showcase the work of local craftsmen.

“We feel like sometimes it’s difficult to get the word out that we even exist,” Rouse told KRDO NewsChannel 13. “So it’s another forum to show people that you can buy local and help each other as a community to grow each other’s businesses.”

Market offerings include Colorado honey, handmade jewelry, crafts and barbeque sauce. Rouse and Owen said they plan to soon have vendors selling fruits and vegetables.

Though there are other farmers markets in southern Colorado, Rouse and Owen said they felt it wasn’t enough. They advertised for vendors on Facebook, hoping others would agree that Coloradans want more fresh and local products.

“I think the need has been there. It just hasn’t been focused on,” Rouse said. “I think we’re getting there, and we’re all learning that we don’t have to go to a big box store to purchase the things that we can use.”

Farm Fresh Fridays run from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 3704 W. Colorado Ave.