The Floyd Farmers Market officially kicks off on Saturday, May 29, 2010 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. with a Grand Opening celebration downtown. The Farmers Market, under the new 3000-square-foot timber-frame structure of the Floyd Community Market pavilion, will feature fresh produce, cheeses, meats and breads. There will also be tables for non-profit community groups and Floyd artisans are invited to display their work at additional tables.
Shoppers will enjoy live music as they peruse the local foods and other products at the Grand Opening. SustainFloyd, the citizens group devoted to supporting a resilient local community, is overseeing the Farmers Market. Eight vendors representing approximately 20 growers in Floyd and surrounding counties will sell produce and goods.
SustainFloyd intends to encourage growers in the County by providing the Floyd Farmers Market as a downtown outlet for their goods every Saturday during the summer. The organization requires that all goods sold at the Farmers Market be raised and produced in Floyd County, or counties directly adjacent to Floyd.
“As we open the Floyd Community Market in 2010, we are hopeful it can find its full promise as a center for not only local food, but local commerce, in general…a place where people can gather and meet their neighbors. We intend that it will contribute to the quality of life for all Floyd County residents,” said Woody Crenshaw, who developed the Floyd Community Market pavilion, housing the Farmers Market on Saturdays, and the Artisans Market on Friday evenings. “It is very satisfying to see the Floyd Farmers Market finally coming into being. It was something we envisioned from the beginning, but it was the final piece to be built. We see the Market developing over time, a symbol of the emerging local food movement and sustainable local agriculture.”
Vendors at the Floyd Farmers Market will include Good Food, Good People Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Five Penny Farm, Sweetwater Bakery, Putali Herbs, Kester Clark Farm, Buffalo Mountain Produce and Sterling Bridge Dairy.
The Floyd Community Market pavilion was completed in October, 2009. It was a community project, built by many hands, with Turman Lumber Co., Inc. providing timbers and milling operations and Healing Harvest Foundation in Floyd supplying green-certified products. Streamline Timberworks donated its services, Wills Ridge Supply, Inc. contributed roofing materials, Professional Builders provided contracting services and Crenshaw Lighting built and installed the metalwork and lighting.
By Becky Pomponio [email protected]