Another farmers market is opening tomorrow (August 23) in Fort Collins, but this one is especially unique.

It is The Larimer County Community Corrections Farmers' Market, which is run by the men and women enrolled in the Community Corrections' intensive residential drug and alcohol treatment program.

The program lasts three weeks to 90 days, and allows clients to confront their addictions and give back to the community so that they can successfully rejoin society once the program is completed.

The clients grow all of the fruits, vegetables, and herbs for the market themselves.

According to Senior Correctional Services Specialist Joe Weilnau, working in the farmers' market is one of the best ways to ensure this success.

"It's therapeutic to have people get outside and learn something," he said. "I've had so many people work in the garden and use that experience to get a job."

Aside from improving the lives of the clients, the market is also changing the stigma towards those who have committed past crimes.

One of Weilnau's favorite parts about the market is watching his clients and customers become friends. "They [customers] are a little bit timid when they walk up, and then they come in and realize these are the nicest people."

In fact, these friendships grow so strong that customers regularly come back to the market, which has been around since 2008, every year.

If you would like to become one of these regular customers, you can find the Larimer County Community Corrections Farmers' Market at the Bath Garden Center and Nursery off of Timberline and Prospect.

It is open every Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. Learn more about the market and the mission behind it by listening to our full interview with Joe Weilnau below.

 

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