Local growers met with Downtown LaGrange Development Authority to plan the second season of Market on Main - a local farmers market held on Saturday mornings in the Main Street parking lot behind Carmike Theater.
“We had about 25 consistent vendors last year, and this year we hope to have more,” said JoAnn Gentry, program coordinator with the authority. “We were all really pleased with the response last year.”
Growers plan to begin selling June 12 in conjunction with the Hydrangea Festival on Lafayette Square. After that, the market will be open from 8 to 10 a.m. every Saturday through November.
“We wanted to open earlier, but the rain has held off the planting season,” Gentry said.
There are still openings for those who want to sell at Market on Main. All produce sold at the market must be grown in Troup or surrounding counties.
“It must be grown on your own land,” Gentry said. “We don’t allow people to buy in Atlanta and come here to resell it.”
Only a spot is guaranteed; sellers must provide their own tables, tents and other equipment.
This year, Jenny Jack Sun Farm will distribute its Community Supported Agriculture produce at the Market on Main.
“We’re excited about being there. It’s always more fun to be part of a market, to have the sense of community with other growers,” said Jenny Jackson, who owns the farm with her husband, Chris Jackson.
The CSA allows people to pay a “membership” fee for a growing season. That fee supports the local farm, which, in turn, delivers to each member a weekly harvest of local, chemical-free produce.
Last fall the Jenny Jack Sun Farm opened up its CSA to LaGrange for the first time.
“We’ve increased our members this year,” Jackson said. “Most of those are coming from LaGrange.”
The CSA delivery will begin May 8 in LaGrange and May 4 in West Point. Cost for a full share - 14 weeks of produce - is $350 and a half share is $210.
The deadline for signing up for the CSA has been extended until April 15.
“We feel like awareness is spreading throughout La-Grange of the importance and the benefit of shopping locally,” Jenny Jackson said.
Sherri Brown can be reached at sbrown@ lagrangenews.com or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 240.
How to take part
Local growers can sign up for Market on Main by contacting JoAnn Gentry at jgentry@downtownlagrange.com or at (706) 298-4534. Details about the market are available at www.marketonmainlagrange.com.
For information about joining Jenny Jack Sun Farm CSA, see www.jennyjackfarm.vpweb.com or call (706) 333-4479. The CSA signup deadline is April 15, and weekly delivery to LaGrange will begin May 8 while delivery to West Point begins May 4.
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