Bigger Emphasis On Local, Organic Products Planned for Wildwood Farmer's Market

The Wildwood Farmer’s Market’s new management has big plans for the summertime attraction, including a bigger emphasis on locally sourced and naturally grown products.

The city approved a contract with SOL Events and Catering on April 22 to take over the day-to-day operations of the event, which is scheduled for Saturdays starting May 18. George and Renee Sackett are the couple behind the company and currently run the farmer’s market in Ellisville.

The name stands for Sustainable, Organic, Local and Sackett told Patch he is excited to bring that approach to the Wildwood Farmer’s Market. He explained that it was their work in Ellisville that drew the attention of city officials.

“They liked what they saw, they liked the energy and the selection of vendors that we have,” Sackett said. “My wife has a huge passion for local food and it really carries over into how we manage the market.”

In that vein, Sackett explained that his goal is to eventually make the Wildwood operation a “producer-only” farmer’s market. This would mean the vendors would be people selling something they themselves have grown or made.

Developing relationships with those vendors will be vital to growing the market’s success, and it’s something Sackett believes he has cultivated through his work in Ellisville. He said his connections in the farmer’s market community were excited to hear about their plans for Wildwood.

“We will have farmers from as far away as Illinois,” Sackett said, referring to a woman who will be bringing her homemade pies that Sackett noted have been “tremendously popular.”

Sackett’s personal involvement also extends into trying to ensure that the goods being brought to the market we grown using organic processes.

“We try to do that with many of the vendors, to know them personally, so that we can promote them as naturally grown,” he said.

Besides the array of food stalls to peruse, Sacket is also hoping to bring in live music to add it to the entertainment. All in all, his hope is to turn it into more than just a regular event.

“We would like to make it a destination and a part of the community where people can share a common interest in healthy, local foods,” he said.

Other plans for the market include partnering with the Missouri Extension Service to offer classes and with the “Got Your Backpack” food donation program operated by the Rockwood School District.