New farmers' market opens Friday at park

La Crosse Tribune, May 27, 2001 by Kent, Joan

Loren Kannenberg is among approximately 8,300 people who work in downtown La Crosse.

On a recent afternoon, he was among about 20 people who gathered in Cameron Park to discuss details of opening a farmers' market there Friday (June 1).

"I have always been a strong believer that a city's personality, its heart, is downtown and that the more opportunities we have to bring people downtown the better it is for the community," Kannenberg said, "Especially in La Crosse because it has this historic downtown with the Mississippi River running right by it."

The market will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the park, which is on Fifth Avenue across from the Peoples Food Co-op. The opening market will feature a play, juggler, bagpipe player and Dr. Seuss storyteller.

The comedy, called "The Madwoman of Chaillot," is about a Paris cafe plot to save a neighborhood from oil drilling. It will be presented at 6 p.m. by the Youth Initiative High School of Viroqua and will include an original overture.

Local crafts and vegetables will be sold at market stands.

In mid-summer, organizers hope to also hold the market on Sunday mornings.

The market's times will be different from the farmers market in the La Crosse County parking lot, which is held on Saturdays. The new market also will feature live music and crafts in addition to produce.

Harry Hoch, a La Crescent apple orchard owner who is one of the organizers, believes the market will be a place where farmers can meet with people from the La Crosse community. "This site will encourage people to get together and stay," he said.

"We are hoping to keep and bring people downtown," said Roz Brooks, who is working on the entertainment and public relations.

"People drive from La Crosse to the market in Madison, so we thought why can't we do that here," said Natalie Schwinn, market manager. "I was involved in the market there, and I just loved it. This will be a market for people who grow their own food, and it will promote eating fruits and vegetables in season."

The market and co-op will help each other, said Michelle Schry, co-op manager. "Anytime we can create more communication between the growers and the people who consume their food, it is a wonderful thing," she said. "The co-op tries to do that all year, but here's an opportunity to go right to the growers."

"The farmers' market used to be right there in the ramp," said co-op produce department employee Roger Bertsch, pointing to the Market Square ramp across King Street from the ramp. "This is ideal because there is shade and plenty of places for theater and local artists."

Many of the growers who will be in the market also sell to the co-op, he said. "But here the customer will get to know the grower."