Customers and vendors chat at the new-location grand opening of the Rose City Farmers Market on Saturday, April 7. The Rose City Farmers Market is now located in the parking lot of Bill’s Unclaimed Furniture in downtown Tyler. (file photo)

Victor Zillmer, owner of Zillmer Farms in Lindale, said he can taste the difference between fruit that’s organic and fruit that has been treated with pesticides.

As a vendor who sells fresh strawberries and a variety of jams and jellies at the Rose City Farmers Market, he can also describe the contrast to customers.

“As fruit ripens on the plant, it keeps getting more nutrients,” he said. “Whereas if you pick it green and gas it, usually your sugars don’t develop and the texture and the taste is wrong.”

On Saturday, he and other vendors kicked off the Rose City Farmers Market’s opening day in downtown Tyler outside of Bill’s Unclaimed Furniture, 236 S. Broadway Ave.

A range of produce, herbs, wood-oven breads, pastries, granolas, pickles, coffees, cheeses and more were sold at the event. To be at the market, vendors have to be based within 75 miles of Tyler and grow or create their own products.

Lisa Horlander, Rose City Farmers Market co-director and market manager, said she was happy with the turnout and that people showed up despite chillier than usual weather and a persistent drizzle.

“People are here, they’re spending money, they’re hanging out in our mostly dry hangout area,” she said. “We’re really happy.”

Horlander said the market did well in its old location on Old Jacksonville Highway, but that the move downtown has added an extra sense of excitement among organizers and vendors.

“That was a great location and we were there for a few years but the energy here is different,” she said. “People are buzzing about. There’s business across the street … and everybody has been excited to have us here.

“We’ve been excited to be part of their little community, too,” she added.

The market will be open in its new location from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday from now until Nov. 17. 

“Our people, they have a heart to make sure people eat healthy, local and sustainably,” Horlander said. “That’s our passion.”

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