Fulton County Ohio Media

Several years ago, Delta residents Steve Raker and Linda Wills set up tables filled with “extra” produce at the outside entrance to the Delta Public Library on Main Street.  The idea was to provide over-produced vegetables to residents who could use them instead of letting them rot and be disposed of.  Quickly, the concept became very popular and people began to use the stand as a way to “swap out” some of their own extra produce with some of what was offered in front of the library.

Linda, Steve and Martie Peck of Wauseon, who found each other by way of the Friends of Fulton County Facebook page, manage the operation which is open to the public every day.  “It’s contributed by the public.  It’s a sharing table.  People bring in their excess and take excess from other people, “explained Linda.  “We started with seed swaps.  It was all Steve’s idea.  He started the seed swaps and we all kept coming back, working together and making a team.  Steve actually started this table idea and we’ve all just jumped on the bandwagon.  That’s just what we do.  Someone has an idea and we all jump on and do what needs to be done.  The next seed swap is October 21^st at the Delta Community Park pavilion.”

As time went on, however, the group wanted to make their produce stand more presentable which led to Linda contacting a representative from Worthington Industries in Delta to inquire about having an actual produce stand constructed.  The good people of Worthington stepped up and built a large and impressive stand constructed of red cedar that went on display for the first time this past weekend.  “It’s beautiful and so much more than I asked for.  They did a fantastic job,” commented Linda on Worthington’s work of art.

The stand now offers more than just produce.  “Garden tools like shovels or anything you’re no longer using,” said Martie referring to the non-produce items that have been donated and/or exchanged.  “If you had to give up gardening because you moved into an apartment, you can bring all your stuff here.  Somebody will use them.” added Linda. 

Nature Fresh was a generous contributor to the celebration of the new stand, supplying peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes to the group.  Plants are another popular item you can find there and flower pots as well.  “People whose gardens have just exploded, what are they going to do with it all?” asked Martie.  Delta has a great answer.

Photo: New produce stand with Steve Raker, Martie Peck, Linda Wills and Rita Dryer