Let the Countdown to Market Season Begin!
What could get us in the mood for market season more than some late March snow?
In just four short weeks the outdoor market season returns with the hope that we'll have left winter far behind.
The 2023 season of the Westside Community Market commences on April 15th at our new location in front of the MG&E Innovation Center at 505 S. Rosa Road, just a mile south our former home. There's such much to look forward to in our new home inside University Research Park. Ample space, free parking and a picnic area in the shade will all be welcome features of the market this season.
We had a good run at University Row and we give our many thanks to UW Health and the Digestive Health Center for hosting us for six seasons from 2017-2022.
But as they say, onwards and upwards...
Change isn't always easy and after a second relocation in ten years, we put our faith in the great community our market has built to usher us into a new era.
Of course, the familiar faces and favorites of your market experience will be there to welcome you as we kick off the 2023 season. The spring session fills up with all the plants and starts for your garden, yielding to the first fresh produce emerging through the warming soils. The early morning crossiants ready to fuel your market trip to load up on fresh eggs, locally raised meats and newly boiled maple syrup.
Every market season brings us a wonderful blend of familiar favorites and new things to try, and this year will be no different.
So as the snow and ice melt away, let dreams of flower bouquets, asparagus and music in the air fill your mind. May green replace the winter's gray as we come together again to celebrate Saturday morning in the best way possible, at the market.
See you at the market!
Ben Zimmerman
Market Manager
North, south, east or west; it's a breeze to get to our new market location with easy access
off of both Whitney Way and Mineral Point Road.
In Memoriam
It is with a heavy heart that one staple of the Westside Community Market won't be joining us for the return of market season this spring.
Don Uselman, of Don's Produce passed away on March 5th after a courageous battle with cancer.
Don and his wife Mary have been longstanding vendors at both the WCM and the Dane County Farmers' Market, bringing not only great produce to their customers (including wonderful green beans), but he also demonstrated the type of farmer to customer relationship that make farmers markets so special.
A dedicated family man, Don was the epitome of the hard-working farmer and his presence at the market will be sorely missed by us all. Our many thanks to him and the role he played in not only our market, but the local food scene here in south-central Wisconsin.
A memorial for Don will be held this Saturday, March 18th at Hooverson Funeral Home in Mazomanie from 1-5pm.
