Johnston Farmers' Market Season Opens Today

From a News Release:

The 2013 Johnston Farmers Market season opens today and runs through Oct. 8. It will be held every Tuesday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Johnston City Hall parking lot.

An addition this year is the Johnston Partnership for a Healthy Community, which invites Johnston Farmers’ Market vendors and residents to participate in its first year of the Market to Pantry Program. This program will accept donations of fresh produce and other much-needed items at the market each Tuesday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The items collected will be distributed to clients of the non-profit food pantry, which serves about 100 families per month. Each family is provided a four day emergency supply of food, along with five personal items per month. 

This program has been established to allow members of our community an easy way to share extra items from their own gardens with those in need in Johnston. If you don’t have a garden, feel free to drop off a non-perishable food item or personal product. The greatest needs are listed below. 

Top Needs of the Johnston Partnership:

1. Fresh Produce 
2. Peanut Butter 
3. Canned Spaghetti Sauce 
4. Canned Tuna or Chicken (packed in water) 
5. Cereal (instant or regular oatmeal with no sugar added, whole grain Cheerios, wheat chex, wheaties) 
6. Laundry Detergent 
7. Shampoo and Conditioner 
8. Diapers (especially pull-ups) 
9. Toilet Paper 
10. Cash donations assist with expenses to operate the food pantry and clothes closet

The parternship will accept donations at the Johnston Farmers’ Market from 3:30-6:30pm each Tuesday through Oct. 8.

You may also drop off donations Tuesdays and Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at 5870 Merle Hay Road, Suite D (west of the Johnston Post Office).

For more information contact Kelly Renfrow, Partnership Board, President-Elect at 515-490-6738 or by e-mail torenfrowkelly@gmail.com.