Today we’d like to introduce you to Tannwen Mount.
Hi Tannwen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story is pretty closely tied to farming and to the Trenton Farmers Market. I grew up around agriculture and the family business, and today my sister and I run Terhune Orchards together. So farming has never really been a job to me—it’s simply been part of who I am.
My family has also had a long history with the Trenton Farmers Market. My late father, Gary Mount, served as President of the Board, and our family has been connected to the market and the local farming community for many years. When I became involved with the Board, it felt like a natural continuation of that relationship. I now serve as Vice President, following Kevin Gsell, who previously held that position.
Running a farm with my sister while also serving on the market’s Board gives me a pretty unique perspective. I understand the challenges that farmers and small businesses face because I’m living them myself. Agriculture doesn’t exactly come with a predictable schedule—you learn pretty quickly that the weather, the crops, and the occasional tractor problem all get a vote!
What I love about the Trenton Farmers Market is that it brings that agricultural community together with the people who live here. It’s more than a place to buy fresh produce. It’s a place where customers can meet the people growing and making their food, discover local businesses, and feel connected to the community.
For me, being involved with the market is also about honoring my father’s legacy while helping shape its future. The market has a wonderful history, and we want to make sure it continues to be relevant, welcoming, and thriving for generations to come.
So, in a way, I’ve spent my life around farming, came full circle through the market, and now get to help carry both forward. It’s a pretty good place to land.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road—and I’m not sure any road in agriculture ever is. Farming has a way of reminding you that you can make a very detailed plan on Monday and have the weather completely rewrite it by Tuesday!
Running a farm comes with plenty of challenges, from unpredictable weather and changing growing conditions to the day-to-day realities of running a small, family-owned business. You’re constantly balancing the immediate needs of the farm with the bigger picture of keeping the business healthy for the future.
The Trenton Farmers Market has its own challenges as well. It’s a historic market with a strong foundation, but we also have to continually adapt to changing customer habits, new competition, and the expectations of the next generation of shoppers. Keeping a market vibrant takes work—you can’t simply rely on its history and expect people to keep walking through the doors.
There have certainly been difficult moments, but I’ve always viewed those challenges as opportunities to figure out what needs to change. Farming has taught me to be patient, flexible, and persistent. You do what you can, make the best decisions you can, and sometimes you just have to wait and see what the season brings.
I think that mindset has carried over into my work with the market. We have a great history to build on, but we also have to keep looking ahead. The goal isn’t just to preserve what has been there—it’s to make sure there’s something worth preserving for the next generation.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Trenton Farmers Market is a cooperative made up of local farmers, food producers, specialty food businesses, and other small businesses, and that cooperative structure is really central to who we are. We’re not a traditional grocery store or a collection of independent shops operating under the same roof—we’re a community of business owners who have a shared interest in keeping local food and local commerce thriving.
The market has been a part of the community for generations, and we’re proud of that history. At the same time, we know that longevity alone isn’t enough. We have to continue evolving, bringing in new businesses, giving customers reasons to visit, and creating an experience that feels relevant to today’s shoppers.
One of the things that sets the Trenton Farmers Market apart is the variety. You can come in for locally grown produce and find fresh meats, baked goods, prepared foods, specialty products, and other locally made offerings all under one roof. But I think what really sets us apart is the personal connection. You’re interacting with the people who grow, make, bake, and sell what you’re buying. There’s a level of authenticity and community that you simply don’t get from a supermarket.
As a Board member—and as someone who comes from a family farming background and currently runs Terhune Orchards with my sister—I have a particular appreciation for the farmers and small business owners who make up this cooperative. But my role on the Board is really about representing the market as a whole. Every vendor brings something different to the table, and that diversity is one of our greatest strengths.
What I’m most proud of is the market’s ability to remain a gathering place for the community while continuing to make room for what’s next. We want people to think of the Trenton Farmers Market not just as somewhere they go to buy groceries, but as a place to discover something new, support a local business, meet their neighbors, and enjoy being part of the community.
At the end of the day, we’re selling a lot more than produce. We’re selling connection—and, fortunately, we have some pretty good produce, too.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I think one of the most important qualities is being able to build and maintain good relationships.
A farmers market is ultimately a people business. Our vendors have to trust that we’re working to create a successful environment for their businesses, and our customers have to trust that they’ll find quality products and people who genuinely care about what they’re selling. The Board also has to work well together, even when we may have different ideas about the best way forward.
That trust doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from listening, communicating, following through, and being willing to have honest conversations. When people feel heard and valued, they’re much more invested in the success of the market as a whole.
I think that has been particularly important at the Trenton Farmers Market because our strength comes from the relationships between so many different businesses and people. You can have a beautiful building and great products, but it’s the people who ultimately make a market successful.
Pricing:
- SNAP/EBT: Many of our farmstand vendors accept SNAP/EBT, which we feel is incredibly important. Fresh, locally grown food should be accessible to as many members of our community as possible, regardless of their budget. Making it possible for SNAP customers to shop at the market helps connect more families with fresh produce and supports the local farmers growing it.
- Senior Discount Thursdays: Many of our vendors offer special discounts to seniors on Thursdays. We’re proud to offer this as another way to make shopping at the market more affordable and welcoming. Seniors are an important part of our customer base and our community, and we want the market to be a place where they can continue to shop for quality food while getting a little extra value.
- CSA Programs: Some farm vendors offer CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) programs, giving customers the opportunity to purchase a seasonal share directly from a local farm. It’s a great way to have a regular supply of fresh, local produce while directly supporting the farmers who grow it.
- Wholesale Purchasing: Some of our farmstand vendors also offer wholesale purchasing for businesses, restaurants, and other organizations. This provides another way for local farms to get their products into the community and helps connect area businesses with locally grown food.
- Variety of Price Points: Because the market is made up of many independent vendors, prices vary depending on the product and vendor. One of the benefits of shopping at the Trenton Farmers Market is having a wide range of products and price points in one location, with the added benefit of knowing that your purchase is supporting a local business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thetrentonfarmersmarket.com
- Instagram: @thetrentonfarmersmarket
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetrentonfarmersmarket
