By Janet Wight
The inaugural season of the Como Park Lutheran Church Farmers Market has been a resounding success, according to Lindsay Stauner, assistant director of the St. Paul Farmers Market.
The market, 1545 Hamline Ave., is open from 2 to 6 p.m. every Thursday through the end of October.
Como Park Lutheran Church was instrumental in establishing this market, providing the initial idea for it as well as ongoing support and use of its parking lot.
The church and the St. Paul Farmers Market are both invested in making a positive impact on those people experiencing food insecurity, Stauner explained.
She was especially interested in launching this particular location since there are not many farmers markets in the north metro and only a few in St. Paul. Also, there is only one other market held on Thursdays.
The Como-area market has been serving as an alternative food site and community hub for many shoppers since it opened in May, Stauner said.
Available products this fall include seasonal vegetables, apples, honey, locally-roasted coffee beans, cheese, floral bouquets, freshly popped kettle corn and much more in the 19 stalls that are available to vendors each week.
Those receiving SNAP benefits are eligible for the EBT matching program. Customers using $10 of SNAP benefits receive $30 in tokens and coupons to use at the market.
Average weekly attendance is about 700, although it does fluctuate based on the weather. Attendance was high in the spring before dropping off at the beginning of summer, then it picked up again this fall.
Como Park Lutheran Church has taken the lead in promoting the market, Stauner said. Additionally, it has been advertised in the District 10 Como Community Council and Saint Paul Farmers Market newsletters. Each market day, 70,000 Facebook and Instagram followers and other interested shoppers can view the latest posts to see which vendors will be present, she added.
One stall is reserved for a local nonprofit, community organization or small business each week. However, no sales or political activities are permitted in this free space.
Children are invited to attend in costume on Oct. 30, the last day of the market, to celebrate Halloween, Stauner said.
Contact the Saint Paul Farmers Market at [email protected] to request additional information. 
Janet Wight is a regular freelance writer for the Bugle.
