Keith Strange

Staff Reporter

Spring has sprung, and with it comes the opening of the Mount Airy Farmer’s Market.

Anyone looking for fresh, locally-grown produce and vegetables, should make plans to join local farmers at the market, which is set to open at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, in the parking lot of Reeves Community Center. The market will be open until 7 p.m.

North Carolina Extension Agent Joanna Radford said the move to the new location is an effort to increase traffic to the market, since its previous location was difficult for vehicle traffic.

“Hopefully, this location will be easier for customers to get in and out of,” Radford said. “Over the years, the crowd has declined a bit, and we think it may pick up this year since it’s right in downtown Mount Airy.”

The market will feature bedding plants and in-season produce and vegetables, and Radford was quick to point out that everything sold at the market will be locally-grown.

“There will be no out-of-season things. No watermelons in May,” she said with a laugh. “We’re selling only things that are grown by local farmers.”

For the first time this year, organizers have added crafts and baked goods as well.

“There will be jams, jellies, breads, even some goat soaps available for sale,” Radford said.

About 15 vendors have signed up to sell at the market, although the extension agent said not everyone will be there every week.

Radford said locally grown food naturally tastes better than mass-marketed produce.

“I think it’s great that it’s local and fresh,” she said. “This isn’t produce that has come an average of 1,500 miles for people to eat.”

Visitors to the market also have the advantage of meeting the person who grows the items for sale, Radford said.

This year, the market will also feature special events including cooking demonstrations and informational booths set up to teach the public tips and tricks they can use in their homes.

Radford said everyone is welcome at the market, and urged the public to come out and support local farmers.

“We want this to be the community’s farmer’s market,” she said.

Reach Keith Strange at kstrange@heartlandpublications.com or 719-1929.