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Ruskin Community Market Opens

Tribune file photo by LOIS KINDLE

Nancy and Jim Spencer check out the produce at Ruskin Community Market, which opened today. Organizers hope it grows into a major people attractor for Ruskin.

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By LOIS KINDLE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 28, 2009

RUSKIN - After being closed for four years, the former Ruskin Farmers Market reopened today with an old look and a new name. Starting out small, it's now called the Ruskin Community Market and organizers hopes it grows into a major people attractor for Ruskin.

Sponsored by the Ruskin Community Development Foundation, the open-air market is located across from the Ruskin Post Office, in the shadow of the Ruskin Mural. Its hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays throughout the year.

Space is available for up to 70 vendors but today there were just six: My Mother's Garden; M.D. Council & Sons Farms; Camp Bayou; Redneck Gourmay; Sun City Tree Farm; and Mother & Daughter Creations.

"We're waiting for a land development code amendment to allow use of the property to add more," said Sandy Council, who organized the market with Fred Jacobsen, foundation president. "Right now, we're looking for vendors and hope to build a waiting list."

The goal is to cater to small farmers, backyard growers and people who make homemade arts, crafts and foodstuffs, giving them direct access to customers.

The cost for vendors is $25 per day for a 10-by-10-foot space. Interested sellers can contact Jacobsen at (813) 298-6028 or call the foundation at (813) 645-6028.

The Ruskin Community Development Foundation is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1994 that works toward the revitalization of downtown Ruskin, develops eco-tourism options, improves coordination of governmental and social services for the community and develops funding sources for community projects.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553.

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