Fruited Plain Seeds

On a crisp, early autumn morning as the market began humming with life, Ken and Julie Zimmerman put the finishing touches to their stall display as a customer approached. Julie sweetly greeted them as Ken and I began discussing seed sales, rodeos, and their time as vendors at the market.

As an OEFFA Certified Organic Food Grade Grain Cleaning Facility to the Organic Food Industry, Fruited Plain Seeds has provided grain, seeds, and cleaning services to the food industry for over three decades, which evolved to raising livestock and produce to accompany their original mission statement. It’s an operation that now involves their children and grandchildren, whether working on the farm or running their social media accounts.

With an excited smile, Ken briefly discussed their involvement with the local Fort Wayne community and why they’ve chosen the Ft. Wayne’s Farmer’s Market for the past eight years. “Oh, that’s easy,” he said and continued to explain that other local markets allow large companies to sell produce at lower prices, which drives customers away and hurts local business owners and producers.

We continued to discuss changes to their selection for the winter months. Ken explained that without greenhouses, their vegetable produce will dwindle but they will continue to sell meat products such as chicken, duck, and pork, as well as duck and chicken eggs. 

After a lighthearted joke about needing to grab some coffee and a pleasant meandering exchange about working in the grain house the day before, we parted ways to the sounds of the market as our day started.

Kenn stepped up a couple of years ago to help lead a newly formed vendor advisory board. He really likes being in a position to make a difference at the market and the path the market is heading.

Staff writer - Kaitie Palm