On June 12th, the White Rock Local Market did a booming business.

Despite the heat searing down on the dozens of vendors selling their home-grown and hand-crafted goods, the turnout was great.

It was really no surprise to the vendors.

As the WRLM continues to grow in customer numbers each month, vendors know that there’s a demand for locally grown produce and particularly organic food.

What was a surprise, and a nice one at that, was only a few days after the June 12th market, the City Council came to a compromise with advocates of local farmers markets.

It seems to be good compromise overall, for both the city and market participants. That’s good news, considering the debate over how to regulate local markets has been underway since September 2009.

The decree is that market organizers, in this case the good folks at the Green Spot on Buckner - and not the city - will be responsible for overseeing what goes on at their market. And vendors won’t be charged fees.

It’s an autonomy that WRLM organizer Bruce Bagelman is happy about. He knows compromises were made on both sides. "I think this will be good for everybody," he said.

The city will still oversee vendors who handle what they deem potentially hazardous foods, such as meat and dairy products (which would include the WRLM vendor that brings in coolers full of freshly netted gulf shrimp.) These vendors will be required to obtain temporary food-handling permits.

While the specialized vendors may be unhappy with that compromise, citing that the state already requires them to hold food handling licenses, the majority of vendors at the WRLM think it’s a good balance.

Regular WRLM vendor Heather Rinaldi agrees with Mr. Bagelman’s assessment.

Rinaldi is sole proprietor of the Texas Worm Ranch, as well as a bountiful gardener at the Lake Highlands Community Garden. Her red wiggler worms and fresh organic produce have attracted a loyal following.

"If there has to be a point of compromise, I think having vendors who handle what the city suggests is 'hazardous food' obtain a temporary permit on top of what the state requires of them is a workable compromise between public safety and bureaucracy gone wild."

Insofar as the argument that the uprising of local markets will somehow draw vendors and customers away from the long-standing downtown Dallas Farmers Market, Rinaldi suggests a creative team approach.

"The local markets happen sporadically, whereas the Dallas Farmer’s Market is open every day. With some creativity, the DFM could really springboard off the success of local markets."

"If local producers are encouraged to grow more, eventually they might be able to supply the larger DFM, increasing the appeal and availability of locally grown products to a much larger customer base."

From a local consumer point of view, the WRLM is an opportunity to garner fresh locally grown produce, breads and pastas - often from our neighbors.

The mantra of the WRLM requires that vendors must live in the North Central Texas region, within 150 miles of Dallas, welcoming farmers and food producers who practice natural, sustainable, organic practices.

Perhaps more importantly, since the City of Dallas has now given its blessing, there’s a tremendous social aspect for families and friends. Many visitors know their vendors, and once you add in live music from local performers, it’s a Saturday not to be missed!

In 2010 WRLM is currently be held twice a month – the second and fourth Saturdays at The Green Spot Market and Fuels.

The second Saturday includes all vendors, both food and crafts. The fourth Saturday is just for farmers, growers and food producers.

The next White Rock Local Market will take place on June 26th, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Food Only (no arts and crafts.)

Click here for a complete list of vendors and dates.