Henderson farmers market aiming for a different look

By Erin Dostal

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 | 1:50 a.m.

For Carrie Hogan, opening a farmers market was natural.

On Sunday, she opened her first farmers and artisans market, Fresh 52, at Sansone Park Place, 9480 S. Eastern Ave., on the edge of Henderson. An event planner, crafts maker and lover of produce, she said it's something she had wanted to do for a long time.

“It was beyond my wildest expectations,” she said. “Everyone loves the fact that it’s there. It’s a fabulous location.”

Hogan said she got the idea for a modern, hip farmers and artisans market from the movie “Food, Inc.” At the end of the film, she said, viewers are asked to do their part in changing America’s food culture. Hogan saw the Fresh 52 market as her way to help her community become healthier.

Hogan has vivid memories of her grandmother’s lush, one-acre garden in Ohio, where she grew up. She enjoyed natural fruits and vegetables at a young age.

But, she said, this won’t be your grandmother’s farmers market.

“I am trying really hard to promote this as a modern farmers and artisans market,” Hogan said. “We’re very particular about the type of vendor that we have.”

“We want a clean, sharp look,” she said, adding that all vendors are required to have white tents to keep the image uniform.

Beth O’Bannon, owner of The Culinary K9, which has been selling natural, gourmet dog food for more than a year, participated in Fresh 52 on Sunday. She signed up for the next four weekends.

“I think it’s a good idea,” she said. “It’s nice to know where your food comes from.”

O’Bannon said she sold several products and the market was busy from opening to closing time.

“At times it was ridiculously crowded, which was awesome,” said Elyse Sassoon, owner of Edibles by Elyse. “I definitely sold more than I had.”

Sassoon, whose company makes all-natural hummus, sauces and sandwiches, has participated in several such markets in the valley, but said “this was up there” among her favorites. She sold out of each item except for her grilled pepper hummus.

“It takes time to build a base,” she said. “It’s like any business.”

The market will be open every Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information about the market or becoming a vendor, sponsor or volunteer, visit fresh52.com.