North Mankato Farmers’ Market kicks off 10th season

NORTH MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - Monday was the start of the North Mankato Farmer’s Market.

“I know I put on sunscreen before and everyone else here seems to be really super excited. It’s going to be a great season,” said April Larson, who represented the city of North Mankato at the market.

This marks the tenth season of the market, which has seen some changes over the years.

From Messiah Lutheran Church to South Central College to now the fire station, the market has hopped around over the years, and vendors and shoppers have followed it every step of the way.

“What’s the same is the great neighborhood feel of the market. It’s not too big where you kind of get lost but it’s still small enough where you can make friends with all the vendors, and then we get to know people in the neighborhood here,” said Bob Leuer with Leuer Gardens, who has been with the market for the past six years.

As the tents go up, trunks open and tables are filled, the start of a new season is a big moment each year, as months of prep get tested and the long summer begins.

“Honestly it’s a really big relief because we start prep for market in January and February, starting all the tomatoes and peppers and all those seeds and now that we’re finally here it almost feels like we can relax a little bit and just get into the groove of having a great summer,” said Leuer.

The market runs each Monday from 3 p.m. to 6 next to the North Mankato fire station.

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