By Frances Ruiz
Staff Writer

Tucked away in the charming and welcoming atmosphere of Old Coppell, the Coppell Farmers Market provides community goers with fresh foods, tasty treats, and an experience unlike any other.

Beginning in mid April and continuing until November 21, the Coppell Farmers Market is a seasonal event sponsored by the Coppell Community Gardens. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to the creation of a healthy community by growing organic produce, providing locally grown foods, and teaching environmentally sustainable practices. Making it their mission to positively impact the City of Coppell as well as the environment, members and volunteers associated with the Coppell Community Gardens not only enable the Farmers Market to take place, but provide the community with beautiful gardens and educational enrichment.

As a member of the Coppell Farmers Market Committee, which works in close association with the Coppell Community Gardens, Christina Kinser believes in the cause both organizations so strongly support.

“I think it’s great that Coppell supports sustainable agriculture,” Kinser said. “It’s incredible to see a community like Coppell step up in such a big way.”

Offering a wide variety of seasonal produce, the Coppell Farmers Market provides community goers with fresh fruits and vegetables, a spread of meats and cheeses, and an unsurpassable assortment of seafood. In addition to mouthwatering foods and delectable treats, local growers and producers also sell dog treats, sorbet, flower arrangements and spices to liven things up. By purchasing the fresh and organic produce offered at the Coppell Farmers Market, support is given to local farmers within the Dallas community. Rather than purchasing food stuffs at yet another commercial chain, many of those in attendance preferred to buy the same items from the local farmers and vendors.

June Blizzard, a Coppell resident and regular participant, expressed great passion for the fresh foods and variety.  

“I love the variety of the fresh foods and the fact that they are home grown,” Blizzard said. “You can actually taste a difference in the quality.”

Providing a change of pace not only for the citizens of Coppell but for those in attendance from surrounding and nearby areas, the Coppell Farmers Market is deeply rooted in the quaint, inviting atmosphere unique to Old Coppell. Distinct from most community events, the market excludes the familiar everyday hustle and bustle associated with city life, and instead, induces a peaceful and untroubled environment where people of all ages and interests can simply enjoy their surroundings. While this event proves to be one of a much smaller scale, the Coppell Farmers Market enables a sense of community development and community growth.

A vendor at the Coppell Farmers Market, Catherine Shenck, felt that events such as these allowed for interaction amongst community members and local farmers.  

“The people are really nice here and there are a lot of really cool farmers that come,” Shenck said. “You get to meet all the different people in Coppell and all the farmers already know each other so we get to help each other out.”

 Although the Coppell Farmers Market may not interest the likes of everyone, it’s a unique opportunity to support local farmers, obtain educational enrichment, and change up the way Saturday mornings are spent.