Final Wednesday market caps season of resilience

The Boulder Farmers Market wraps its Wednesday season on Oct. 7 after expanding beyond produce into a neighborhood gathering space.

The 3:30-7:30pm finale caps a season that brought more artisan vendors and community resources to the weekday market.

The latest: Organizers newly partnered with Community Food Share on a resource fair connecting residents with food, health, housing and youth services.

Yes, but: The market's broadened role came during a tough year for Colorado farmers, as historically low water squeezed growers and ranchers, and an April freeze wiped out fruit crops for many Paonia and Hotchkiss vendors.

What she's saying: "The Wednesday market has really become our Boulder neighborhood market," marketing director Frankie Ryder tells Axios. "It's really the folks who live in Boulder … coming together to support small businesses."

Vendor watch: Among those small businesses not to be missed before season's end: Longmont-based Ray Road Nut Butter, which makes refined sugar-free organic spreads, including crowd-favorite pistachio cream and an almond Brazil cashew blend.

Bean Boy Foods turns black beans and lentils into fiber-rich soy-free tofu that delivers plant protein and crisps like a potato.

What's next: Saturday markets continue 8am–2pm through Nov. 21.

Ryder's Prime Day pitch: Shift some grocery spending from Amazon to local farms and "the community that we want to build here in Boulder."