By Julie Huss
DERRY — Homegrown fruits and vegetables may be coming to a farmer's market near you.
A town group is exploring the possibility of bringing a farmer's market to Derry, where area growers could gather in one spot to sell fresh produce and other products.
The idea of the market came before Town Council several months ago, when Councilor Janet Fairbanks mentioned how positive a market could be for the community, especially when the economy was floundering.
The Downtown Committee now has a subcommittee working on the farmer's market plan, with residents taking on the challenge of hearing input from area farmers on what they would like to see in a market.
Downtown Committee member Michael Gendron said his group met with three regional farmers last week to talk about the possibility of starting a market.
"We were excited by their enthusiasm," Gendron said. "They gave us some great ideas and referred us to some terrific resources."
Gendron added the farmer's market group will meet with University of New Hampshire officials soon to talk about the best ways to implement a market in Derry and get a business plan in place.
Fairbanks said many hope the market could begin in 2010.
"There is considerable interest in getting this farmer's market up and running for this coming season," she said.
The farmer's market subcommittee tentatively plans to meet on March 30 at 7 p.m. in the Derry Municipal Center.
