Mount Vernon Farmers Market Opens May 2 for 2026 Season

The Mount Vernon Farmers Market will return to Public Square on Saturday, May 2, marking the start of its 23rd season. The market runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon through October, rain or shine, and remains one of Knox County’s most popular weekend destinations for fresh food, local goods, and live music.

Shoppers can expect early‑season produce including asparagus, rhubarb, lettuce, and garlic scapes, with strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, mushrooms, and sweet corn arriving later in the summer. All produce sold at the market is grown within 50 miles of Public Square, and vendors complete Good Agricultural Practices training through OSU Extension to ensure compliance with state food‑safety standards.

Beyond produce, the market features locally roasted coffee, baked goods, sourdough bread, nut brittle, cookies, pies, cinnamon rolls, raw and flavored honey, maple syrup, herbs, jellies, and more. A new knife‑sharpening vendor will join the lineup this year.

To make fresh food accessible to all residents, the market accepts a wide range of nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP, Produce Perks, WIC, the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, the Knox County Task Force for Older Adults’ Eat Fresh, Eat Local initiative, and Produce Rx through the Knox Community Health Center.

More than 30 vendors are scheduled for the 2026 season, representing farms, bakeries, orchards, and small businesses across the region. Local musicians will perform throughout the summer, with support from Park National Bank and Wesco Produce.

Representatives from Knox County Safe Communities will visit the market on May 16 to promote the annual Click It or Ticket seatbelt safety campaign, joined by officers from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Mount Vernon Police Department, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Fredericktown resident and small‑business owner Deva Geiger will serve as the 2026 market coordinator.

Community organizations and businesses may reserve booth space for outreach or engagement, though political and religious groups are not permitted. For updates, follow the Mount Vernon Farmers Market on Facebook and Instagram or tune in to WMVO 100.9 FM on the first Friday of each month at 10 a.m. for AM Knox County.

Questions may be directed to farmersmarketmountvernon@gmail.com.