Lincoln Farmers Market gets a reboot

Lincoln's first farmers market in two years kicked off on June 4 with several booths and a steady flow of visitors at Valler's Market.

The plan to start a Farmers Market in Lincoln originated with Envision Lincoln's Health and Wellness Action team in 2018. The market originally started in 2019 with funds from the Lincoln Council for the Arts, which served as the market's fiscal sponsor, and the Lincoln Valley Chamber of Commerce. Jason and Tiana Valler, owners of Valler Coffee and Valler's Market, took over as coordinators of the Lincoln farmers market in the spring of 2020.

"Within a month, COVID hit and the Health Department shut down everything," said Jason Valler.

During the market's inaugural year, it was held twice a month at Hooper Park. In addition to changing the market location, Vallers plan to hold the market weekly on Fridays from June through August. They are looking at a few other changes, too.

They plan to focus on providing access to fresh foods at the market, with an aim to keep at least half of the vendors as food providers. Finding and keep produce vendors at the market has been a struggle since the market began.

"Lincoln is just kinda on the way to everywhere," said Valler, noting that while vendors may drive through Lincoln, they don't always want to stop. Despite that, he said Tiana is pursuing new food vendors, locally and throughout the area, who may be willing to make the drive to Lincoln each week. Vallers hope to have a variety of fresh produce as well as food for visitors to eat at the market while they browse.

Three vendors had food at this market, including homemade tortillas from Trevino's Tortillas, hand-gathered eggs from Lauer's Farm, and fresh produce provided by the Vallers. Dixon Melons are scheduled to vend at the market in August.

In the fall, Vallers are considering a harvest event to tie-in with the market.