The Farmers Market in Troy is about to get bigger and better.

The Yaak Valley Forest Council just won a $58,834 federal grant to expand the Troy Farmers Market over the next two years by providing infrastructure, training and promotion.

It will allow the market to offer debit and credit-card processing, a greater variety of vendors and nutritional education resources.

A bonus will be an opportunity for fall apple cider pressing.

The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers Market Promotion Program.

The small Troy market is in its third season and averaged eight vendors last year. Organizers strive to maintain a four-to-one ratio of food vendors to craft sellers, Market Manager Shawna Kelsey said.

The Yaak Valley Forest Council’s community development program saw a need in the Troy area for a farmers market as a place to find healthy and fresh food while supporting the local economy, Kelsey said.

Local partners in the Troy Farmers Market include the school district, an after-school program, local 4-H club, the city of Troy and the Troy Museum, as well as a cadre of gardeners and crafters.

The weekly market, staged every Friday afternoon from June through September on the grounds of the Troy Museum along U.S. 2, is a social event for the community.

“We hope to see the market build more regular customers and vendors with the goal of offering more and more fresh and local food,” she said.    

Robyn King, executive director of the Yaak Valley Forest Council, acknowledged that the market “is a much-loved project.

“It’s about more than fruits and veggies — it’s about invigorating our community’s connection with each other and with the land,” King said.

Market vendors will be able to rent booth canopies and have access to refrigerator and freezer storage for perishable foods during the market season. Training opportunities on business topics throughout the year also will be provided.

The grant includes funding for market manager training, a market assistant, advertising, social media and website development and promotional materials.

Jody Wiley-Peterson, a board member of the Troy Farmers Market, has been involved with the market since it started and said she believes it’s important to have a trained manager and an assistant to maintain market quality. Providing vendors with the proper equipment will encourage more farmers and gardeners to grow and sell their products, she added.

Participation in the market has grown steadily over the past three years, Kelsey noted. She hopes to have 10 vendors this summer.

Market organizers also believe the infusion of resources and amenities will have an entrepreneurial effect on the Troy Farmers Market by encouraging local organic growers to expand.

The market runs from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Fridays through September.

For more information about the market and how to become involved, contact Kelsey at shawna@yaakvalley.org or call 406-295-9756.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.