Farmers Market opens late. Attracts more vendors

By Christopher Tobutt

Friday 13 December was the day the Farmers & Artisans market by the Cricket Ground in George Town opened later than usual; from 4 to 8 pm. Market manager Joan Steer said: “We have the night market in an effort to promote what we do here in the market; so we have our regular vendors and we have some other vendors coming to help specifically with the promotion.”

It’s good to see Caymanians making the most of their talents, and starting small businesses. Mark Ray and Lydia Ray is the husband-and-wife team behind Powder Monkey Gourmet Treats: “We specialize in marshmallows, and plantain chips. But we also do tarts and cakes, we have recently introduced jams,” Mr. Ray said. “We have a cranberry orange rose jam, and we have a plantain coffee jam. Our products come in a variety of flavors we have about 20 different flavors of marshmallows that we can do. We sell our products primarily online and through some retailers on island and we are at the Market every first and last Saturday of every month. What is unique about our products is they are all homemade, and made right from scratch, so if you are a marshmallow aficionado you will recognize a big difference ours are fluffier and lighter. They are made with more love.”

Helen, whose company, Island Organics, produces everything from natural ingredients without any artificial chemicals. “I make homemade perfumes, for ladies and gentlemen, and homemade body scrapes, and body-powders. I make all-natural bath soaps, bath salts, and I make deodorizers that can be used for your home or your office; all-natural scents and I make soy-wax candles, massage oils, and bath tonics,” she said.

Patrick Panton was busy making artificial flower arrangements for gravesides. “They are inserted into a concrete base, so that they don’t blow over because most graves are on the seaside which can be quite breezy. It’s very popular at Christmas Time to refresh the gravesides,” he said.

Lisa Gould AKA Miss Bubbles the Clown was there, too: “If you are having a party or any event, you can call me,” she said. I have something for you whether it is face painting, balloon animals, body glitter or anything you want to celebrate. You can just check me out and I’ll come running.”

Marsha Hall from Bodden Coconut Bites said: We source our coconuts locally and our almonds locally as well and we use the raw organic cocoa, and its sweetened with dates, and these are for persons who need a healthy alternative to sugar, and for persons who are diabetic as well; it’s for children and the entire family.

“My company is called A Small Backyard, because I started by making marmalades and the lime bush was in my small backyard,” said Anna Elverson. She makes different marmalades from all the different fruit trees that either grow in her backyard, or her friends’ back yards, as well as homemade bread, brioche rolls, and delicious-smelling cinnamon rolls.