Farmers' Market Opens Saturday With Homegrown Produce

Article published May 18, 2008
By LAUREN GROVER
Staff Writer
The sunniest produce section in town opened Saturday to hundreds of customers hungry for homegrown vegetable.
“You know summer’s here when the Farmers Market opens,” said Mary Shorthose of Tyler who paused near a table of red potatoes at 8:30 a.m.
It was C. C. Claiborne’s table, a 73-year-old farmer from the Jacksonville area who dug up the potatoes himself.
“It gets in your blood and you can’t quit it,” he grinned. “I love it. You watch stuff grow, and you work the land.”
Local farmers from five counties have dropped their tailgates at the open-air East Texas Fair Grounds for 25 years now. On Saturday, customers hit the stands at 7 a.m. Farmers often stay until they sell out.
“The green beans and greens went fast this morning,” said Winona farmer Joan Lowery. “You try to figure out what folks want — otherwise you’re eating all the extra.”
A few tables down, Charles Claiborne, son of C.C., dunks a bushel of turnips in a bucket of water.
He and other farmers said the cool weather has delayed summer vegetables and fruits. His favorite is watermelon.
“Today’s a good start, though,” he said.
The Claibornes, an extended family of farmers, made up about half the vendors on Saturday.
“That’s my nephew, and that’s my son, and other son, and sister,” C.C. said pointing to other farmers.
Daniel Baker, a grower from just outside Tyler, sold out of dewberries early Saturday morning.
“They went fast,” he said. “It’s late for them, barely any left. Only me and one other farmer had
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