When Edward Voelker started the Hastings Farmers Market in the mid-1970s—the market and the city of Hastings—looked a little different than they do today. Some 50 years later, that same market continues every Tuesday and Saturday now led in part by Edward Voelker’s son Jim Voelker.
The self-described “regular farmer” has sold produce at the farmers market for the last quarter-century, eventually also branching out into jellies and hot sauces in order to “diversify from just vegetables,” said Voelker.
Product diversity not just within his own stock but across the farmer’s market is a particular focus for Voelker: “You don’t want too much of the same stuff” between vendors.
While the Hastings Farmers market is comprised of some 20 plus vendors, Jim and his sister Holly Bohlken are the last of the original vendors dating back to the beginning of the market, according to Jim.
From flowers to knife sharpening, freeze dried goods and of course the fruits and vegetables that form the foundation of the market, a new generation of vendors has grown up, expanding beyond local farms that once dominated the market.
One of those new vendors is Julia Miller, founder of Finally You, which sells essential oil fragrances.
Miller, who has been in business less than year, called joining farmers markets a “leap of faith.”
According to Miller, that leap of faith has largely paid off, with farmers market attendees showing interest from markets in Hastings to Red Wing and beyond.
Miller grew interested in wholistic health during the COVID-19 Pandemic and wanted to bridge the gap between high quality fragrances that are affordable, and those that are made without synthetic ingredients.
“Being isolated like that, I needed something to make myself feel human,” said Miller.
Thus, Finally You was born.
Other newer vendors include Tony Mason, owner of MN Nice Guy Popcorn which sells artisanal popcorn. Mason has been at the Hastings Farmers Market for three years and credits it with part of his success: “Hastings has really put me on the map […] they’ve taken me in so to speak,” said Mason.
Mason was one of many vendors at the market who lamented the slow foot traffic in the past month: “Wind or rain or too hot or maybe the economy is screwing things up,” said Mason.
While many of the early farmers markets were inundated by heavy rains earlier this month, which often reduces attendance, many cited comments from customers worrying over the economy, tightening budgets and uncertainty on tariffs.
“In this economy, everyone is watching what they are spending,” said Emilio Jackson, a vendor selling freeze-dried goods from fruits to candies.
Jackson, who joins the Hastings Farmers Market for a third year, called the start of the 2025 season “very, very slow.”
She lamented that even perennially popular items at markets like baked goods and vegetables haven’t been selling out like in previous years. When those staple items aren’t doing as well, other products like freeze-dried fruits and vegetables “are the last ones to go,” said Jackson.
Throughout the summer heat and into the fall, vendors will be selling fresh cut flowers, farm honey, and much, much more in the Westview Parking lot every Tuesday and Saturday.