Athens Farmers Market helps community shop fresh, local—and safe—during pandemic

Increased safety measures have encouraged Athenians to visit the market on Saturday mornings. As a result, vendors have seen a rise in sales.

By: Kathrin Merritt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7CMi43ibWw

Pandemic fears have left people hesitant to attend large functions, but the Athens Farmers Market has seen an outpouring of support for their local vendors despite public concern.

“Even though we have a lot fewer customers coming to the market, a lot of our vendors have seen increased sales," said Monica Bledsoe, Athens Farmers Market program director. "We believe this is due to one, the strength of our community here in Athens, the drive to really support local during the pandemic and help small businesses and three, the Farmer’s Market was one of the first open air, big events that is available every single week here in Athens that people do feel safe at because we have been taking precautions."

The market even saw its SNAP Doubling program reach record breaking heights this past year. The program allows families using SNAP to double their credit when buying produce from the Athens Farmers Market.

Last year, the market served over 35,000 guests over the span of 32 markets. This increase in sales follows what has been a national trend of local farms being successful in the pandemic. What has been drawing people to the markets?

“For food security purposes, it’s convenient, they can have a better perspective and relationship with that farm… and… another thing is people trying to support their local economy,” says Molly Gayner at Woodland Gardens. “While people are looking for food security, they can also support someone’s job and I think that’s another reason why people started looking locally for food.”

While some people were turning to local farms to provide a reliable food source, for others the switch to homegrown produce has been a way to connect with their food and to the local community around them.

"Getting locally produced food just makes you actually connect with it," said Hayley Hunter, a market customer and University of Georgia student. "Like where it's coming from because when you go to the grocery store and you buy but you don't really think about it but when you actually go to the farmers market and thinking ‘this is where it came from.’”

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For others, trips to the farmers market is just about showing up for small farm owners and getting good products.

“We come to the farmer’s market pretty much every weekend to support the local farmers and get some good stuff,” says Penn Dodson, a market customer.

And with more people coming back out to the markets as they see the effectiveness of safety measures that are in place, it is clear that support for local farmers in Athens hasn't wavered.