By Morgan Bryce
Staff Reporter
O-Grows’ first “Pop-Up” Market took place Saturday in front of the Southside Center for the Arts building. Local produce ranging from kale and other winter greens to okra and pepper jellies was available for purchase.
Following their first summer managing the traditional Tuesday afternoon farmer’s market, O-Grows Executive Director Dr. Sean Forbes said that this fall market is an experiment, and based on vendor’s produce availability and customer support, could last all the way through Thanksgiving.
“We’re not doing this to suggest that Tuesday’s farmers market isn’t happening … we’re not messing with that. We’re just looking to see how we could not only extend the season but see if we could tap into a different slice of the community by having it on Saturday mornings,” Forbes said.
He said that this fall market will particularly emphasize locally-grown products, and that everything there for sale will be homegrown and authentic. Besides offering Opelika fresh, quality produce, Forbes said that he sees the market as an opportunity to bring the community together.
“Having a farmer’s market any time of the year offers a lot of stuff to the community. It’s a nice way to have a little bit of business, a little bit of agriculture and a little socializing …all good stuff,” Forbes said. “Opelika in particular has so much to offer … people like Mayor Fuller and Barbara Patton over at the Chamber of Commerce have done so much to help us grow and expand … this whole ride has been wild.”
For vendor information or general questions, call or text Forbes at (334) 750-2215.
