By Debby Woodin

dwoodin@joplinglobe.com

Some local residents have asked the Joplin City Council to consider establishing a farmers’ market.

David Sweeney, a Joplin dentist, suggested the idea to the council at a meeting Monday night.

“Having attended the market in Webb City and seeing what they have done, I would like to see a designated area here,” Sweeney told the council.

Sweeney said he thinks many Joplin residents would take advantage of an opportunity to buy locally grown produce.

“It would provide another good amenity for the downtown district,” he said. He suggested the city designate a location such as a pavilion in a city park or a vacant lot the city owns downtown for the market.

Rebecca Donham, who along with her husband owns Fourth Street Lofts and lives in one of the lofts, supports Sweeney’s idea for a downtown farmers’ market.

“For us to have a great place to shop with fresh produce and we could just walk to it, that would be great,” Donham said.

Webb City’s farmers’ market has grown from three vendors to 35 vendors, said Marilyn Thornberry, a volunteer who helps founder Eileen Nichols with the chore of running the venture.

The markets are established to be mutually beneficial to farmers and gardeners as well as consumers.

“Basically what we want is for the farmers to be successful. We’re going to help them any way possible,” Thornberry said.

She said it takes organization and rules for a market to operate successfully.

“There are rules and regulations that were set by the vendors before the market went into operation. The vendors set seasonal fees, how much they give at end of each day on their sales. We have a board of directors, and they have rules and regulations just like any organization,” Thornberry said.

The rules are designed to keep a fair market operating for those who sell as well as those who buy.