All winter long, you’ve made do with hardy produce that can grow in any season. Now that things have warmed up a bit, you can be pickier about your source of food.
If you live in or near Alpharetta, Ga., the Downtown Alpharetta Farmers Market is a great place for you to do this.
A Pure and Wholesome History
After surveying the town nearly a decade ago, the Alpharetta Business Association found fresh, local produce was something residents craved. In response, the association established a farmers market where people can buy fresh produce and herbs from local farmers, gardeners, and makers of edible home goods. In 2006, the inaugural year, the Downtown Alpharetta Farmers Market was held biweekly in the City Parking Lot of the town’s historic center. However that has changed over the years.
The first year was successful enough to justify a change in the frequency of the market’s occurrence from biweekly in 2006 to weekly in 2007. In 2008, the hours of the market were extended. Still, the popularity of the market was such that it could no longer be contained by the City Parking Lot. In 2009, the farmer’s market was relocated to Jones Avenue and Old Roswell Street, but still, the market expanded. In 2010, it was moved to the large parking lot off Old Canton Street near City Hall and Main Street, a location it still calls home.
Happy, Hardworking Vendors
You can find almost anything organic and healthy that grows within a 100-mile radius of Alpharetta and the Atlanta area. Farmers proudly display and sell their fruits, vegetables, roots, and grains. Gardeners sell fresh flowers and herbs. Baking enthusiasts sell breads and cakes made with local ingredients. Crafty individuals sell homemade soaps and bottled sauces and jellies. Seventeen new vendors have signed on to participate in the 2014 Downtown Alpharetta Farmers Market, which means it will more than double in size since just last year. Consumers have a lot to look forward to!
Enjoying the Market
In an effort to make the Downtown Alpharetta Farmers Market accessible to all, admission is free, as is parking which can be found throughout the downtown area. Residents of AMLI North Point can take a quick drive and will be there in no time. To make the most of your experience, arrive with an open mind and a few ideas of what you want to buy. It’s also a good idea to bring your own, environmentally responsible canvas or nylon bags for carrying and transporting your load.
What are you waiting for? Make the short journey from your Alpharetta apartment to the crossroads of Old Canton Street and Milton Avenue next Saturday. This year’s Downtown Alpharetta Farmers Market season is well underway and is held each Saturday until October 25, from 8:30AM to 1PM. For the latest updates, check out the market’s Facebook page.
Have you visited the Downtown Alpharetta Farmers Market recently? What was the highlight or main attraction for you?
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View All Posts by Jason Ernst