Bluffton Farmers' Market vendors held their annual Christmas gathering, a carry-in dinner with a side of business on Dec. 12.

Some 40 vendors and family members enjoyed a delicious meal that included many homegrown and homemade foods, discussed the 2017 market season and made a donation to the community that hosts them.

Vendors expressed their appreciation for Citizens National Bank, which provides the parking lot space used by the market at 102 S. Main St.

The market is also supported by the Bluffton Public Library, which brings storytime for children to the seasonal Saturday event, and Transition Bluffton, which has provided temporary recycling bins for vendors and shoppers.

Discussion also touched on how the vendor roster has changed over time, as business owners retire, move, or go on to bigger ventures.

Two vendors–Coffe Amor and JK Juices–have become storefront businesses in other communities. Market manager Greg Probst notes that new vendors are always welcome and that a spring organizational meeting will be held in March.

On behalf of the vendors, Probst presented a check for $500 to the Bluffton Community Assistance Corp.

Representative Connie Maroscher accepted the check and explained how the funds would help the local food pantry and allow the organization to stock essentials like paper products that cannot be purchased with food stamps.

The Bluffton Farmers Market is a Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce program. The market is open on Saturday mornings, May through October.

For more information about becoming a vendor, contact Greg Probst at [email protected] or phone the chamber at (419) 369-2985.