by Merle Monahan/Contributing Writer
merlemonah@aol.com

IVOR—For people in the Ivor area who do not have their own gardens, but like fresh vegetables, a small market on Main Street can fill their needs quickly.

Donna DeGroat, who lives just outside of Ivor on Broadwater Road, has enlisted the help of her neighbors as producers and opened a farmer’s market across from the Ivor Volunteer Fire Department. At this time, the market is open Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., but DeGroat expects to increase her hours as business picks up.

“We’re already doing really well, though,” DeGroat said. “We’ve been selling out of things like fresh tomatoes almost as soon as we open.

“People will drive by, spot these beautiful vegetables and come to a screeching halt. They’ll back up and load up,” she added with a smile.

DeGroat opened the market because she and 19 of her neighbors had an abundance of vegetables in their gardens, and she thought this was a good way to use up some of the overflow.

“And I just wanted to bring another business into Ivor, so I rented this parking area and opened up a couple weeks ago.” she said.

The market offers all kinds of fresh vegetables, including peppers, even hot peppers, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, including green tomatoes, egg plants, zucchinis, onions and many more.

DeGroat said her farmer neighbors even bring in fresh eggs, fresh cut flowers and herbs. “We also offer home-baked goods, including breads.”

She added that when business has increased enough, she will probably move into a vacant store next to her present location.

Because of the holiday, she will be open Wednesday through Saturday this week, she said.