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Everything Old
is New Again |
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At Alabama’s
Farmers’ Markets
by Callie Bryan
The vintage lettering and the old-fashioned graphics of the “Buy Fresh Buy Local” label are reminiscent of days gone by. This logo, along with the 83 farmers’ markets in Alabama, remind people of a time when farmers had to peddle their produce at similar markets to sell what they had grown.
According to Don
Wambles, the Director of the Farmers’ Market Authority, the “Buy Fresh Buy Local” emblem is one thing that has aided in the success of the area farmers’ markets this year. |
Mayor Bill Ham (fourth
from left); Richard Guthrie (third from left), Interim Dean of the
College of Agriculture, and the chefs from Auburn University Hotel’s
Ariccia Restaurant and other supporters at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on opening day of The Market. |
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“In 1999, Alabama only had 17 farmers’ markets, and this year we have 83,” Wambles says. “I am extremely proud of the tremendous growth both in the number and the popularity of these markets. It has really been a big economic boost for our state.”
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A great crowd turned out for opening day of The Market at Ag Heritage Park. |
Wambles says most all of the vendors from around the state’s markets have commented that their sales have been better this year than ever before. He adds that the farmers are not the only ones profiting from the sales they are making.
“The consumers really appreciate knowing where to find truly fresh produce,” Wambles says. “They know they couldn’t find a fresher product unless they grew it themselves, and it’s a taste they can’t buy just anywhere. They realize what they get at our farmers’ markets is of a better quality than what they could buy elsewhere.” |
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John
Aplin, of Aplin Farms in Slocomb, agrees. He says the consumers would naturally rather have a better quality product, but they usually don’t want to pay extra for the premium products. He explains that at the same time he is providing high quality produce and saving the customers money, he is making more profit for his produce as well. |
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Aplin Farms has been in business since 1952 and encompasses 150 acres of almost every fruit or vegetable that can be grown in the southern area of the state. In addition to selling at several of the state’s farmers’ markets, the Aplins also sell wholesale, sell directly to the public at a roadside stand in Slocomb and sell straight off their farm with the u-pick items. Throughout the year they have animal exhibits and a corn maze as well as a hayride to the pumpkin patch in the fall.
The Aplins began going to farmers’ markets five |
David Turner, owner of D&K Growers in Waverly with crepe myrtles for sale.
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| or six years ago and have been extremely pleased with the turnout this year. Aplin explains that one benefit of the farmers’ markets is that they have been a great marketing tool for him this year.
“We don’t do any advertising really,” Aplin says. “So word of mouth is really important to us. Our usual customer is fifty-plus years old, and for lack of a more tactful way of putting it, our customer base is dying. These farmers’ markets have gotten us more exposure and really helped us draw in a younger crowd. We have several 20 to 30 year olds, which we call the mini-van crowd, that are now regular customers because of the added exposure we have gotten from the farmers’ markets.” |
Sunflowers and produce from Theresa Gullatt’s farm in Salem. |
In a more indirect way than the Aplin’s example, the farmers’ markets have provided Joe Lambrecht of Oakview Farms Granary in Wetumpka with a larger client base, as well.
“We were at Peach Park in Clanton when the news editor for the Birmingham news saw us and wrote a story on us the following week,” Lambrecht explains. “The next thing we knew the Associated Press wire had picked up the story, and we had calls coming in from all over the United States. Just last week I shipped stuff to the Ritz Carlton in San Francisco.”
The Oakview Farms Granary has been in operation |
| since 1998. In 2000 the Lambrechts added a new retail area to their business where they sell white and yellow cornmeal, white and yellow stone ground grits, several types of flour and many other freshly ground items. They also do tours of the granary and have two-hour bread-making classes.
This is the Lambrechts first year of selling their products at area farmers’ markets. They, too, are impressed with customer traffic.
“People ask us every week if they are spending enough money with us to keep us coming back,” Lambrecht says. “I tell them ‘We’ll keep coming as long as ya’ll keep coming back,’ and they do.”
The customers keep coming to the farmers’ markets each week to see David Turner of D&K Growers as well. D&K sells mainly crape myrtles and other woody ornamentals. This was actually a second business for Turner for 17 years. Then three years ago he decided to convert his hobby into a full-time nursery. And recently D&K has started opening on Saturdays to accommodate some of the newer customers they have gained because of the farmers’ markets.
“We have really found a niche at the farmers’ markets this year,” Turner says. “I may not sell out of my plants every week at the market, but I usually make several contacts for later purchases.”
The saying in the fashion world that “everything old is new again” also holds true for the Alabama farmers’ markets. While older customers are finding a bit of the good ole’ days, new generations are discovering the satisfaction that comes from choosing their own produce from the colorful displays of local vendors. With the antique-looking “Buy Fresh Buy Local” logo, both old and young are assured that the corn, tomatoes or beans they buy today were actually in some Alabama farmer’s field yesterday.
For a complete list of the state’s farmers’ markets, go to
www.fma.state.al.us.
Callie Bryan is a free-lance writer from Auburn. |
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