The Warren County Farmers Market is beginning to thaw.

Signs point to a small sampling of fruits and vegetables making their way to market after a nippy start to the season.

“It’s been so cold but today has been great,” said market manager Ginger Wanamaker on Saturday. “We had some strawberries here today and the next two to three weeks should be peak time for strawberries. We should be starting to get onions, lettuce and sweet potatoes. It’s been so cold this spring, crops may be a little late.”

Ernest Schwartz, 10 months, was a ray of sunshine as his father sold large flowering baskets.

“Two weeks ago there were snow flurries and I sold two baskets,” said Thomas Schwartz. “Last Saturday, I sold 18 and I’m sitting at 32 so far today. When I was a kid, I didn’t care anything about flowers, but the older I get the more I love flowers and landscaping.”

Schwartz says his brother-in-law, Johnny Watson, grows the flowers as a hobby.

“He’s into the growing aspect of it and he gets me to sell them,” said Thomas.

Tony Howard of Howard Brothers grows all of his produce in the Centertown area. He had onions, tomato plants and flower baskets for sale Saturday.

“It’s still early and we might have a frost in the middle of the week,” said Tony. “We grow a little of everything – squash, okra, green beans, corn, tomatoes. So far it’s been too wet to plant much.”

Glenn Nave of Heritage Hollow Farm is a mainstay at the Farmers Market.

“We have a good following here and I plan to be here every Saturday,” said Glenn. “We sell a lot of ground beef, steak, roast and lamb.”

Heritage Hollow Farm is in Woodbury and Glenn says the family farm goes back nearly 200 years. 

“I’m ready for more produce to come in because that will bring larger crowds up here,” said Nave.

The Farmers Market is open every Saturday morning in downtown McMinnville at 100 Market Street next to the water tower. Posted hours are from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The market also features homemade baked goods, jellies, and BBQ.