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Once the leaves start changing to their autumn colors, many area residents probably don't think about attending a farmers' market.

The Morgan County Farmers' Market Association hopes to change that mindset with a new event. For the first time in the market's 10-year history, the Morgan County Farmers' Market Association will hold a winter farmers' market at the First Presbyterian Church's Keller Hall, 240 E. Washington St. in Martinsville.

The first winter market will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

According to association president Bob Elliott, there were several requests from vendors and customers at the summer market to add a winter event.

This weekend is also Fall Foliage Festival weekend, and Elliott said he hopes a lot of festival-goers will stop by the market.

"While the weather is nice, we will set up outside," Elliott said. "Once it gets inclement, we will move inside."

For the first few events, the plan is to have some late-season fresh produce for sale. The market will also include baked goods, eggs, jams, homemade soaps, lotions and jewelry.

Elliott said there is a potential that fresh produce could be sold throughout the winter market's run, but he cannot guarantee it.

"Since this is the first year, this is kind of a test run for all of the vendors, as well," Elliott said.

If customers have any unused farmers' market bucks, they will not be eligible for the winter's farmers' market, as they expired with the end of the summer event.

The winter market is scheduled to take place every other Saturday through Feb. 17, 2018.

"That gives us 10 Saturdays altogether," Elliott said.

He said, other than a few differences between the summer and winter markets, the two events will largely be very similar in nature.

Supporting local farmers and craftsmen also has several benefits, other than the fresh produce.

Between 60 and 65 percent of the money spent during an event such as a local farmers' market stays within the area.

According to the website for the Farmers Market Coalition, farmersmarketcoalition.org, locally owned retailers such as farmers' markets return around three times as much of their sales to a local economy.

Elliott believes the market will be a good gathering place for the community this winter.

"Come visit," he said. "We are planning on still being a gathering place to come see your friends and enjoy."

Source: Morgan County hosting first winter farmers' market