CAPE FARMERS MARKET CLOSES FOR WINTER

Area produce growers enjoyed good support from local customers this year, vendors at the Cape Girardeau Farmers' Market said Thursday as the market closed for the season.

The market, which this year had 18 vendors participating, conducts business every Thursday from May through October at the Plaza Galleria parking lot. This was the market's 13th year in operation.

Produce vendor John Knaup of Jackson said people enjoy the open air market.

"You get fresh air, fresh produce and probably a little bit better prices," Knaup said. "Plus, you know its locally grown, not trucked in from California."

Customer Dorothy Davis of Cape Girardeau has frequently shopped at the market for more than 10 years. She said the fact that all the produce for sale is locally grown is why she does her shopping there.

"It's probably picked that morning, so you know it's fresh," Davis said.

Market president Marilyn Peters of Cape Girardeau said that during the summer crowds of 800 to 1,000 customers are common. By the end of the season, however, business slows down considerably.

"We really have crowds in the summer. This Place is packed full of people," Peters said.

"A lot of people like to support local agriculture."

Such support is vital for many growers.

"Many people out here do this as a living," Peters said. "Growing produce to sell is their prime source of income."

Customers who missed out on the market's final day will have wait until next year, but the market is expected to be back at the same site.