The Whitewater City Market features local producers throughout the year, and the indoor winter season is coming to an end.

The indoor season ran from November through April every Saturday.

Throughout both seasons, there are a total of about 70 vendors that come out and share their crafts and sell their produce. The indoor market topped out at about 20 vendors this season. 

There is a great mix of vendors. People from all over Whitewater come to help fill the library. From produce and popcorn to arts and crafts, the market showcases a plethora of different items.

Food carts also frequent the market, giving visitors a quick option for ready to eat food.

Lisa Dawsey Smith, market co-manager and president of Downtown Whitewater Inc., mentioned that the market isn’t just a place for people to come buy some quick finds but a place to let people come          together.

“As a downtown revitalization organization we understand that the most important economic driver we can successfully affect is community,” said Dawsey Smith. “When we find ways to foster a sense of community, we set our community up for success. To that end we feel the market is a vital part of our revitalization efforts.”

The community of Whitewater is trying to get the word out to the students of the university. Because the market is year-round now, there is more momentum, and most people use the market to do their regular grocery shopping.

Market co-manager Kristine Zaballos feels that the market showcases the very best that this community has to offer.

“The beekeeper who branched out into brewing kombucha and now works with MobCraft Brewery to can his beverages. The farmers who feel passionately about organic and sustainable practices and love growing new things for the market,” said Zaballos.

The market is one of the places where the community mixes naturally with smart and sustainable practices. Lots of the vendors and volunteers have ties to the campus, whether they are faculty, staff, students or alumni. The market provides free spots for a dozen nonprofit organizations over the course of the season.

“The pizza maker who brings metal pizza pans for people to eat on so we’re creating as little trash as possible,” said Zaballos. “The school teacher who bakes and makes jam and amazing caramel corn in her free time. There are so many stories. The market is a warm and welcoming community.”

Everything from Whitewater Grocery Co. and the League of Women Voters to UW-W SAGE. UW-W Sustainability has been coming to the market since the market started and gathering extra fresh food at the end of the evening from vendors who don’t want to take it back home and then taking the food right over to the Whitewater Community Food Pantry.

Since the indoor market is over and the outdoor season will begin the first week of May on Tuesday evenings from 4-7 p.m.