ORANGE — From smoothies and pig organs to goat milk soap and fresh asparagus, vendors at the Orange Farmers Market showcased unique products during the market’s opening day this week.
Assistant market Manager Mary Holtorf of Sweet Cottage Farm in Athol made a special fudge flavor just for the kick-off — orange with sesame sticks from Quabbin Harvest.
“It is really good; it has that salt-and-sweet thing going on together,” said Holtorf.
About 10 vendors set up outside the Orange Armory just beyond downtown Orange on the sunny afternoon.
“It was a very nice market. We saw a lot of regular customers, and some new faces,” said Holtorf.
The market is held every Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. through October. As the season continues, Holtorf said the market will grow and have more produce available for purchase. This year, the market has a new entertainment tent, funded by a grant from the Orange Cultural Council, said Orange Market manager Rachel Gonzalez. Holtorf said the market has booked more musicians for the upcoming season, and has new activities for younger market-goers at the Kids Corner tent.
New to the Orange market, Elzire’s Acre from Princeton was at the market to sell its homemade goat milk soap. Chad Steiner, who works with his wife Terri Steiner, said they make about 70 recipes for soap, including eight for unscented bars. All the soaps are made from milk from their goats, which Chad said are fed only organic foods.
In order to make the best bar, Chad said, they use the less-common cold process to make soap.
“We use that one specifically, because we know that when we put all the good extra stuff in — like the essential oils and the super fat oils — we know what we are claiming is accurate,” he said.
After the market concluded, Holtorf said some vendors quickly packed up and headed to Third Thursday in downtown Orange. She said the vendors were able to meet new people, and some plan on heading back for the next Third Thursday event.
Along with her role with the Orange Market, Holtorf is the Athol Market manager. The Athol Market’s opening day is Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Unfortunately, said Holtorf, the weather forecast predicts rain.
“If it is really horrible, there is a possibility we might cancel,” she said. “We almost never do that, but if it is raining and cold, it isn’t going to work for anybody.”