Farmers’ market vendor trades business world for organic produce

As the Saturday morning sun rises, IU students are still in their beds, snoozing away from the night before. Meanwhile, lively violin music fills the square as locals tote recycled shopping bags from booth to booth, selecting from an array of fresh produce, herbs and flowers. 

Welcome to the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market.

With homemade products such as honey and maple syrup, health-conscious shoppers have discovered an alternative to generic supermarkets.

“Bloomington has a reputation for being earthier,” vendor Art Jacques said.

Supermarket produce is hybridized to produce thicker skin needed for shipping, a uniform color and shape for display purposes and a neutral taste to appeal to a broader range of customers.

However, organic produce has a stronger flavor and a more unique appearance.
“The prices are often lower here than at the supermarket, and the food is better-tasting,” Jacques said. “Also, you can ask the person who grew the fruit or vegetable more about the taste, so that you know exactly what you are eating.”

Jacques graduated in the ’70s from IU South Bend with a marketing degree. After many years in the business world, Jacques decided to try something new.

“I got involved doing this because I woke up one morning and decided on that age-old issue of time versus money,” Jacques said. “I decided to opt for more time and less money.”

Jacques and his wife started gardening by growing heirloom tomatoes on their five-acre property on the west side of Bloomington. They now have three greenhouses where they grow tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and herbs.

In the marketing field, Jacques was only involved in one aspect of selling a product. Now, he gets to be involved in every step of the process – from planting the seeds to describing and selling his produce to customers.

Jacques drops the first seeds into the soil in early May, after the last frost. The plants usually yield ripe fruit for the market by July.

Every Friday afternoon, Jacques begins to pick the ripe fruit and pack it for the morning. He rises at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday to head to Showers Commons and set up his booth.

Once at his corner location, Jacques hangs ribbons he won at the Monroe County Fair on a chalkboard advertising his fresh basil. He adds a large light-green umbrella in front of his station to protect his produce and customers from the warm September sun. 

Customers have the unique opportunity to get acquainted with the vendors at the farmers’ market. In between explaining the sweetness of a tomato or the heat of a pepper, Jacques chats with shoppers about current politics or their recent vacations.
Some customers even return to thank Jacques because they have been complimented on his produce.

“The most satisfying part is when you have someone come back to you and say, ‘I really liked your vegetables or herbs.’” Jacques said.

Because the outdoor market only operates one day a week and is closed during the winter months, vendors have time to be involved in other activities.

Jacques serves on the board at the Hilltop Garden and Nature Center, a place former IU President Herman B Wells started to teach and nurture an interest in gardening.
In addition to serving on the Hilltop board, Jacques participates in the Bloomington Worldwide Friendship program, which allows him to host international students by having them over for dinner or taking them shopping.

But for many vendors, the winter is just time to take a break. 

“After the gardens shut down, I think for a lot of people in the market, it’s just an off time,” Jacques said. “I look forward to the winter months as a time to travel, read books and watch films.”

But his vacation will have to wait at least two more months. Until the end of November, Jacques will be manning his booth, selling produce to his loyal customers who have come to regard the Market as a Saturday morning staple.