Construction begins on new farmers’ market

The Morgantown Farmers’ Market will soon have a new place for vendors to sell fresh produce, meat and other goods to the community.

Construction has begun on a new pavilion on Spruce Street that will allow the farmers’ market to better serve the community, even in inclement weather.

The Morgantown Farmers’ Market is held every Saturday from May to October and features more than 30 vendors. In addition, the market also features nonprofit organizations, as well as musicians.

The farmers’ market is being held in the parking lot on the corner of Fayette and Chestnut streets this summer as construction begins on the new pavilion.

The grand opening is scheduled for July 28, which will also be the start of a culinary program that will provide suggestions for preparing the goods bought at the market.

Lisa Lagana, the market manager, said the pavilion will be good for patrons who want to shop, even on rainy days.

"I think one of the main benefits will be that people will be able to shop out of the weather, and it also gives the farmers’ market a home downtown that will be permanent," she said.

"It will actually be open on days when we are not there," Lagana said. "It can also be used for other events, so if people are interested in setting up other events, it will be available."

This opens up the area to arts events or any event that may also need a permanent downtown home, Lagana said.

Lagana said the pavilion is ideal because it’s a way of having shelter while maintaining the outdoor environment that people enjoy, especially for a farmers’ market.

The biggest difficulty in the process has been raising money for the pavilion, Lagana said. Changing steel prices have presented a challenge in funding. At the Main Street Morgantown website, www.downtownmorgantown.com, donations for the project are still being accepted.

There is also a live feed camera, where people can watch the pavilion’s progress.

For more information on the farmers’ market, visit the Morgantown Farmers’ Market website at http://www.morgantownfarmers.org.