Many of you may not realize that the Market provides each Vendor with the sign that is displayed on their tents. When you are at the Market this Saturday, note the two numbers on the signs. The first is the booth space number, placed there to help you locate your favorite Vendor.

The second number represents the distance that Vendor has to travel to reach the Market. We placed that number on the signs to emphasize the close proximity of our Vendors, and the foods they grow and produce, to your table. The average Vendor at CFM is just 26 miles away from Center Green. Being that close means your food is fresher and more secure. The average supermarket food item travels 1500 miles to get to your table. And your money travels that distance back out of the local community.

If you plan on going directly to the Festival from shopping at the Market, make sure to put your cooler in the car to keep your purchases at the peak of freshness.

Once October starts you will not be left in the lurch, however. There are numerous Vendors who will fill the void. You can get a grilled brat patty at Grand Grilling to Go. Try that with their special mustard relish. Or you can get a sausage biscuit from the Nading’s. You can also try Skillington’s for a breakfast sandwich made from their own bread and chicken patties. And, if you like barbeque, try Rosie’s or Zacky’s for pulled pork sandwiches. Other popular items are the breakfast crepes from Three Days in Paris and the Liege waffles from Walking Waffle.

One of Lee's Award-Winning Pumpkins

Lee Saberson, Carmel resident and expert pumpkin carver, will conduct his outstanding pumpkin carving class at the Market on Oct. 15. Class will begin at 9 and continue through the morning as has been the case in past years. The class will take place in the KitchenWright demonstration kitchen. Lee will be using pumpkins donated by the Market Vendors.

The class is being held a little earlier this year to make it possible for you to assimilate the skills and plan your carving project in advance of Halloween. Once you have attended the class, make sure to buy your pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn and all the other things you need for fall decoration from our Vendors. You will also want to stock up on jams, jellies, maple syrup and apples from the Vendors.