Farmers Market opens for season

(Updated: Thursday, April 17, 2008 10:06 AM CDT)

Brenda Parker, Madison Record

Madison residents will again be able to purchase fresh, locally grown produce at the Madison City Farmers Market starting Apr. 19.

The farmers market will start its new season with a new location at 1282 Hughes Road, just south of Discovery Middle School.

"The old location was off the beaten path and not many people knew where we were located," said Mary Stallings, chairperson of the Madison City Farmers board of directors. "This new location has much more traffic and is more convenient for our customers."

Approximately 12 vendors will be on hand for opening day:

Manningson Farm - Produce, herbs, baked goods, jams and jellies

Sand Mountain CSA - Produce

Calloway's Garden - Produce and bedding plants

Sew What? - Hand-crafted, sewn cards

Mary's Garden - Fresh cut flowers, perennial and herb plants

Spradlin Farm - Produce and fruit

Mountain Fork Farm - Eggs, produce and herbs

Pond Creek Farm - Produce, fruit and nuts

Fay Whitt - Produce, fruit, potted plants, canned goods, and knitted items

Bob and Jo Putney - Woodturnings and paintings

Josh Walker - Liniments

Elna Moody - Doilies and crocheted items

The market anticipates 18 to 20 vendors later in the season as more crops begin arriving.

Early produce expected includes salad greens, kale, spinach, lettuce, beets, radishes, cauliflower and collards.

"Many of our farmers are very pleased with the amount of rain we have had since the fall. We are all hopeful that the rains will continue throughout the growing season," Stallings said.

According to Stallings, purchasing food from a local farmers market helps the local economy and at the same time helps farmers retain their livelihood. "The Madison City Farmers Market provides an opportunity for Madison residents to connect with the growers. Local produce is affordable and provides important nutrition," Stallings said.

The Madison City Farmers Market board of directors include Freda Bjorkman, David Henry, Jonathan Henry, Shawn McEniry, Russell Stackhouse, Kevin Stallings, Mary Stallings and Karen Wynne.

The farmers market will be open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. The final day for the 2008 seasons is Oct. 25.

For more information on the Madison City Farmers Market, call Stallings at 464-5090 or visit the Web site www.madisoncityfarmersmarket.com.

E-mail This Story    Print Version