Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In the spirit of entrepreneurial development, the Old Town Farmers' Market-Tianguis Cultural's "make it, bake it, grow it" vendors celebrated their 1st Annual Vendor Recognition Awards! (What could be a better way to bring an end to a very successful 5th season?)

Before they wrap things up on the last shopping day of the year (May 17), they set out to recognize those who demonstrated excellence in products, services and volunteerism.

• "Make It" - Chantel~Vintage Spoon Jewelry
Owner Chantel Mann, a former real estate agent, was on her way out of town after the market crashed. Serendipitously she applied to the market. Her business has grown with featured items in exclusive shops around Mexico. Today Mann is still a vital part of the Vallarta community.

• "Bake It" - Cacahuate Carlos
Owners Carlos Valdivia and Lisa Gilroy have grown their business from a tiny table and 3 kinds of peanuts into a market favorite. Multiple peanut flavors, cookies, brittle and 5 different nut butters - Cacahuate Carlos has it all!

• "Grow It" - Hortalizas Palomera
Growers Jose Luis Palomera and Alejandra Farjas have 5 hectares on which they grow herbs, greens, and gourmet baby veggies. As one of the few small farms in the Banderas Bay area, Hortalizas Palomera has supplied produce for area restaurants for 14 years.

• Services - Bahia Chiropractic
Dr. Erik Fulfer, a third generation, board certified chiropractor, adjusts patients from all over the world underneath his shaded OTFM-TC tent. For house calls, call 322-182-5045.

Winners received $1500 pesos gift certificates for branding and marketing.

During the recognition event they also recognized community members who have enhanced the quality of life for marginalized groups:

Community Builder, Cherie Verber (L), receives recognition from OTFM-TC Founder, Charlotte Semple

• Community Builder - Cherie Verber
Verber along with her partner Pam Alexandra and their friend Mary Jacobs provide English, sewing, and art classes out of their home for the young and young at heart. Cherie also mentors two of the market's Young Entrepreneur Program vendors, Mireya Amaral (Poder de Niña/Girl Power) and Abraham Amaral (Casa de Muñeca/The Doll House) who share their artisan talents with international shoppers.

• Market Supporter - Bruce Bing
Bing has supported the market from its earliest days by buying produce and cheeses directly from the vendors for his 3 Vallarta-based restaurants. He is also known to have vendors create special products exclusively for his dining patrons. Bing donates in many ways, one of which was giving seed money to Young Entrepreneur Mireya Amaral to buy her first sewing machine.

• Volunteer - Bill Hegelund
A volunteer since the first season, Hegelund's dedication has made a huge impact on the success of the market. He arrives each Saturday well before any of the vendors and jumps in to help with a myriad of details ranging from set up to take down.

• Non-Profit - Ballenarte Puerto Vallarta
Founded in 1996 by Astrid Frisch, this nonprofit focuses on the research, preservation and surveillance of Humpback whales in the Banderas Bay. Their internationally award-winning work has been instrumental in the educating the public and increasing the quality of life for these magnificent mammals. ballenartepv(at)gmail.com

Thank you for making this season's OTFM-TC the best yet. And don't forget that this Saturday is the last chance to pick up all of your favorite farm-to-table produce, artisan foods, one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories and home décor. Many of these vendors will continue to provide products and services throughout the summer so visit the OTFM-TC website for contact information.

Finally, Congrats to Liz Montejano of Wiki as her whimsical line of handmade, embellished wood products can now be found in the Four Season's gift shop.

Impassioned by responsible food production, entrepreneurial development and the "buy local" movement, our OTFM-TC is a North American style market celebrating the tradition of Mexico's tianguis markets.

Located in Lazaro Cárdenas Park, the OTFM-TC is open every Saturday from 9:30 am to 2 pm from the first Saturday in November to May 17. Stop by for home décor, fashions, accessories, farm-fresh produce, international cuisine and read-to-eat foods. For more information, visit OldTownFM.com, or on Facebook: Old Town Farmer’s Market Puerto Vallarta.

Click HERE to learn more about the Puerto Vallarta Old Town Farmers' Market.