2014 Farmers Market Week Kicks Off Tomorrow

Courtesy Department Press Office

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black announced today that he will recognize Gov. Nathan Deal’s proclamation of Farmers Market Week in Georgia with a Farmers Market Tour throughout the state June 21 through 28. The tour will include visits to community and state farmers markets in Snellville, Atlanta, Milledgeville, Athens, Warner Robins and Gainesville, ending with the Georgia Grown Farmers Showcase at the Atlanta State Farmers Market. This tour will promote the growth of farmers markets across the state while encouraging people to purchase locally.

The Department Marketing Division administers nine state farmers markets that form the network for sales of fruits and vegetables throughout Georgia, as well as the Southeast. These facilities maintain a viable market for Georgia farmers and farm products in the communities where they are located. Georgia’s state farmers markets are responsible for more than $1 billion in sales each year.

In addition to state farmers markets, Georgia is also home to a large number of thriving community farmers markets. These markets provide an opportunity for  farmers to sell directly to their neighbors and are often operated by non-profits or local governments. Throughout the state, these community markets generate $30 million in revenue.

“Through the Farmers Market Tour, we hope to spotlight Georgia’s thriving state and community farmers markets, and the positive impact that these markets have on our local economy,” Black said. “Farmers Markets allow consumers not only to pick up some fresh, locally grown produce, but the chance to get to know the local farmers in his or her community.”

2014 Farmers Market Tour Schedule

June 21, 2014
Snellville Farmers Market
2342 Oak Rd, Snellville
8 a.m.

June 23, 2014
Sweet Auburn Curb Market
209 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta
1 p.m.

June 24, 2014
Milledgeville Marketplace
222 E Hancock St, Milledgeville
4 p.m.

June 25, 2014
Athens Farmers Market
301 College Ave, Athens
4 p.m.

June 26, 2014
International City Farmers Market
Watson Blvd, Warner Robins
1 p.m.

June 27, 2014
Gainesville Farmers Market
734 E Crescent Drive, Gainesville
2:30 p.m.

June 28, 2014
Atlanta State Farmers Market
16 Forest Pkwy, Forest Park
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Find a farmers market in your area!

Christmas Showcase to be Held This Weekend

Originally published in the Dec. 11, 2013, issue

 

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Atlanta State Farmers Market in Forest Park, Ga. Sheds full of evergreens, wreaths, giant red bows and gifts galore are open for business, and even more vendors will be making their way up Interstate 75 for the first Georgia Grown Christmas Showcase on Dec. 14.

 

Department employees Brent Wagner, Evan Karanovich and
Cora Potter decorate the Commissioner's Office Christmas
tree, which was purchased at the Atlanta State Farmers
Market. Consumers can purchase their trees there during the
showcase on Dec. 14. Photo by Dallas Duncan

“We had such success with our summer showcases, we thought Christmas would be the perfect opportunity to show off our Christmas trees and greenery you can find at the Atlanta State Farmers Market,” Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black said.

 

A local bluegrass band, choir and hand-bell ensemble will provide entertainment throughout the event. Santa Claus and a few elves are coming in from the North Pole to attend as well, and might put on some music themselves.

 

The highlight of the showcase will be the farmers and agribusinesses spreading Christmas cheer – there will be taste tests, stocking stuffers, gift baskets and a number of other products representing all that Georgia Grown members have to offer.

 

“This showcase is unique in that we will have our Georgia Grown members showing the public the many locally grown and produced items you can fill your stocking with this Christmas season,” Black said. “By purchasing locally produced gifts, not only are you receiving a quality product, but you are also supporting our economy and agricultural community here in Georgia.”

If you go:
When: Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Atlanta State Farmers Market
16 Forest Parkway
Forest Park, GA 30297
Contact: Georgia Grown at 404-656-3600 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

Showcase vendors will include:

Abby J’s Blackhawk Salsa

Alos Cuisine LLC

Atlanta Honey Company

Back to the Basics 101
Beaver Lake Grilling Planks
Bettie’s Blueberry Jams & Jellies
Blue Donkey Coffee
Bob’s Biddies LLC
Brown Bag Soap Company
Bruce’s Nut-N-Honey Farm LLC
Buttercup Farm
Butter Sensations
Causey Foods, Inc.
Chinese Southern Belle
Chocolate South
Compassion 312
Creekwater Alpacas
Destiny Organics
Dirt Road Sauce, LLC
Food Safety Division
FreshTape
Georgia Gourmet Garlic
Georgia Grown Store
Georgia Olive Farms
Hardy Bakery
Henry County Farm Bureau
Hudson Pecan
Jam’N Designs
Kevin Burchett
King Louie Special Blend Seasoning
Lane Southern Orchard
Let’s Eat Unique LLC
Maeday Enterprises LLC
Montaluce Winery & Estates Garden
Naturally Southern Foods
Oliver Oil Company
One Screw Loose
Packer Produce
Plum Crazee
Royal Food Service
Sinfully Sweet Soap
Southern Press and Packing
Springer Mountain Farms
Sunset Farm Foods
Super Sod
Terra Dolce di Lyons, Ga.
The Foodies Catering Company
Three Generations of Georgia
T M M Enterprises
Turnrow Bath, Body and Home
Verdant Kitchen
Vidalia Onion Business Council
Wally Bees Honey
Webbington’s LLC
Weeks Honey Farm
We Ingeorgia
White Oak Pastures
World Pay

Georgia Grown Farmer Showcase Deemed a Success

  Originally published in the Aug. 7 issue of the Market Bulletin

Visitors check out the Calhoun Produce table at the showcase

The Atlanta State Farmers Market was the place to be in the metro area on July 27.

Hundreds of visitors and several media outlets turned out for the Georgia Grown Farmers Showcase, which many hailed as the best yet of such events.

“There was a lot more people, a lot more interaction,” said Lynn Batchelor of Wally Bees Honey. “They do a good job. We’ve been here in the good and the bad, but this was the best.”

The Newnan-based company had only a few jars of local honey and fewer than 10 beeswax candles on its table by the end of the day. Southern Press and Packing, a Blackshear, Ga., company specializing in 100 percent blueberry juice, brought 31 cases of product and sold all but one.

As consumers traversed the Georgia Grown shed, they got to sample a variety of produce and meats – sausage, salsa, jams, jellies, peaches, watermelons and more.



Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture
Gary W. Black and Georgia Watermelon
Queen Carol Anne Mitchell

“I like the fact that I can come try local-sourced produce and things, and I can sample everything before I buy it,” said John Stalvey, an attendee from Hapeville, Ga. “I just love seeing family farms trying to get out there and survive.”

And it wasn’t just farmstands that enjoyed the turnout. Henry County Farm Bureau representatives called the showcase a great way to share their mission.

“We do good to get one membership a day because it’s so hard in a short phone call for people to understand what we’re about. Here, we can … talk to them and they can see our display and understand more what we’re about and about our support of the farmers,” Jean Dykes said. “Once they understand and we have that opportunity to be in front of them, they’re signing up. In two hours, we signed up seven.”

Be it the antique tractor display, the cow train or meeting the Georgia Watermelon Queen, the showcase had something for everyone, said Gary W. Black, Georgia commissioner of agriculture.

“Vendors came from all across Georgia to mix and mingle with consumers as they sold their locally grown produce and goods,” Black said. “I look forward to more Georgia Grown events of this kind that allow the rare opportunity for consumers to directly connect with the producer.”

Peppers and squash for sale at the Georgia Grown
Farmers Showcase on July 27

Wendy Wagner, an attendee from Roswell, Ga., said she enjoyed seeing the variety of healthy, fresh food options from Georgia producers, and hopes to attend the upcoming December showcase.

Several vendors are planning to return as well, already planning their holiday-themed booths.

“We didn’t expect these kind of results. The crowd’s great, it’s fun,” said Henry County Farm Bureau representative Ross McQueen. “It’s working for us. We’re planning on coming back, let me put it that way.”

Farmers showcase hits Atlanta market this Saturday

It's showtime -- for Georgia Grown member producers, that is.

More than 40 producers and agribusinesses will be represented at this Saturday's Georgia Grown Farmers Showcase, the fifth such event at the Atlanta State Farmers Market.

"We have seen tremendous support from both producers and consumers of Georgia Grown products across the state for our showcase events," Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black said. "As we head into the summer season, the showcase is the perfect opportunity to pick up fresh, locally grown produce along with other items produced in our own state that you cannot find in stores. We would like to encourage everyone to come out and support our local producers."

In addition to produce, honey, popsicles, meat and more from Georgia Grown members, visitors to the showcase will find plenty of fun for the whole family. The Rock Ranch is providing a cow train for kids to ride in around the market. Georgia Watermelon Association will host a seed-spitting contest at 11 a.m. and there will be antique tractors on display.


Georgia Watermelon Queen Carol Anne Mitchell will be one of the Department's special guests, and there will be free food aplenty as several vendors will host taste tests at their booths.

And there will be giveaways as well. The first 200 guests will receive a free Georgia Grown tote bag to carry their produce and gifts home in.


"This is a great opportunity for everyone to come out and show their Georgia Grown pride," said Jenna Saxon, communications outreach specialist for the Georgia Department of Agriculture. "We're so excited to be able to offer this event to share amazing Georgia food, fiber, crafts and more and we can't wait to see all the cool things this weekend has in store!"

Exhibitors include:
94.9 The Bull
Abby J's Gourmet Salsas
Aimtrac
Alan Vigil, automobiles
Atlanta Honey Company, honey
Beaver Lake Grilling Planks
Big Green Egg
Blue Donkey Iced Coffee, dairy
Brown Bag Soap Company, soaps
Buttercup Farm, pesto, soups and jellies
Butter Sensations, compound butters
Calhoun Produce
Carroll Farms
Causey Foods, sauces and rubs
Compassion 312, pain relief gel
Country Junction Soaps, eggs and goats' milk
Destiny Organics
The Foodies Catering Company Inc., baked goods and pastries
Food Safety
Gayla's Grits
Georgia Department of Agriculture
Georgia Olive Oil
Georgia Watermelon Association, watermelons
Henry County Farm Bureau
Hunter Cattle Company, meats
Jaemor Farms, produce and processed foods
Jam'N Designs. potted plants
King of Pops, popsicles
Larry Grier
Market Bulletin
Morgan Farms Inc., produce and crafts
Oliver Farm/Oliver Oil LLC, cold-pressed oil
One Screw Loose, processed foods
Pearson Farm, peaches
Royal Food Service
Sinfully Sweet Soap LLC, handmade soaps
Southern Press and Packing, blueberry juice
Super Sod and Patten Seed, sod and soil
Thompson Farms, meats
UGA Extension Service
Verdant Resources, processed foods
Vidalia Onions, onions and onion rings
Wally Bees Honey, honey and beeswax candles