Page’s first community farmers’ market was held in City Park last Saturday morning with a promising turnout.
Roughly 80 people took the time to check out what local and Flagstaff growers had to offer. The Chamber Page Lake Powell Director Judy Franz reported 11 vendors set up shop for the event’s first day — an amount she and other coordinators said they were pleased with.
“I’ll be honest, as we were getting this together we were all a little worried we wouldn’t find enough growers,” she said. “But thankfully that wasn’t the case.”
Kicking off at 8 a.m., market volunteers said many of the vendors had sold out before 10. Local eggs were especially popular and some of the first items to sell out. Duck and turkey eggs were on sale alongside traditional chicken eggs.
Honey, kale, spring greens, aloe vera, and a selection of fruits were also available for purchase and sold fast.
“I think the only negative feedback we had is that people either slept in or didn’t get their sooner,” Franz laughed.
Opening a booth at the market is simple by design. Franz noted a handful of sellers showed up that morning and were able to set up shop before the morning rush hit.
The market will take place every Saturday until Oct. 28, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the John C. Memorial Park.

For those interested in selling raw goods, $25 will buy a season pass to set up shop; otherwise, an individual can pay $2 per week. All other fees and insurance have been paid through Coconino County by the city of Page. Tables and tarps will be provided, so growers simply need to bring their goods to get underway.
“That [simplicity] was a goal from the get-go,” Franz said. “It was never meant to be a money-maker, but an easily-accessible community event. We don’t even mind if sellers want to share a table if they don’t have many items to sell that day. We just want as many people involved as possible.”
Since Saturday, Franz said event coordinators have been getting a lot of inquiries on items like jams, jellies, baked goods and cooked foods.
Under the current insurance through the city and Coconino County, which is for raw grown goods only, Franz reiterated that the market currently could not allow vendors selling such items to set up.
However, those interested could take some extra steps with proof of documentation to bypass it.
Specifically, a vendor would need to provide proof of an Arizona food handler’s permit and obtain their own liability insurance for the sale of the cooked goods.
For those interested in selling cooked or processed items or items they are not sure meet the “raw” goods criteria, they can contact coordinators by emailing farmers86040@gmail.com, or may head over to the chamber’s office at 5 S. Lake Powell Boulevard to receive more information.
But perhaps most importantly in the market’s first weeks of life, event coordinators say they need volunteers.
Volunteer duties include setting up and breaking down tables and tarps. Coordinators also need volunteers to greet customers and provide information for new vendors. Currently, everyone involved with the market is a volunteer.
“We’re hoping the community will step up and really get involved,” Franz said.
Donations to the market are also being accepted. All money donated would go toward advertising and the purchasing/renting of equipment like tables and tarps.
Looking toward the future, coordinators claim they’re hoping the market could be grow into a cornerstone summertime event for Page locals.
“The potential is really there,” commented Franz. “There’s really no event like this, even during the summer, for our community members. There are a lot of different options and I feel like we could really get some momentum behind it.”
Ideas to bring in live music, yoga instruction, and massage therapy — among others — are underway.