Farmers Markets in Montgomery, Alabama Offer Local Farm Fresh Foods in Winter

Autumn foliage is falling away leaf by leaf for Montgomery area farm producers while winter sets in with hibernating vegetation. This time of year, local Alabama farmers' list of offerings tend to shrink, as the peak growing season is between May and September. Three farmers markets in Montgomery are open this winter offering locally grown greens, winter squash, pecans, sweet potatoes and a few other sustainable fruits and vegetables.

Montgomery Curb Market

Located at Madison Avenue in Downtown Montgomery

Open from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in a covered facility

Winter produce for sale: Collards, turnips, mustards, cabbage, sweet potatoes, pecans, muscadines, scuppernongs, butternut squash

Organic farmers featured: Yes

Contact: Jasper Cleckler (334) 263-6445

Fairview Farmers Market

Located at Fairview Avenue in Montgomery

Open year round from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in a covered facility (closed Christmas day)

Winter produce for sale: Collards, turnips, mustards, sweet potatoes, and pecans

Organic farmers featured: No

Contact: Flora Brown (334) 263-7759

MontgomeryState Farmers Market - one of the largest in the state

Located at 655 Federal Drive in Montgomery

Open year round from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. in a covered facility (closed Christmas day)

Winter produce for sale: Collards, turnips, mustards, sweet potatoes, pecans, jams, jellies, baked goods, crafts and other specialty items

Organic farmers featured: Yes

Contact: Rod Thomas (334) 242-5350

Local farmers markets in Montgomery participate in a federal nutrition program that provides fresh, nutritious, locally grown vegetables, fruits and herbs to low-income seniors and nutritionally at risk women and children. Seniors and at-risk families are able to redeem coupons for sustainable food items sold at local farmers markets. This encourages farmers and recipients to support the local economy while improving family's healthy food choices. Farmers having visibility at farmers markets tend to increase customer base and sales. Needy families are able to purchase nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables grown locally.

Montgomery is home to six farmers markets and several other roadside markets. The state of Alabama has more than 112 farmers markets and 175 vegetable and fruit stands. Farmers who set up at Farmers Markets in Montgomery and throughout the state assure that produce has been picked within 24 hours. They are at the peak of freshness, nutrition and flavor.

In preparing for this article, I learned that of the three farmers markets in the Montgomery area that closed for winter, one of them may not re-open in the spring. This would be a great tragedy for the farmers who participate at this location as well as the consumers who shop there. Fruits and vegetables purchased in supermarkets are known to be shipped across country and from foreign destinations, for as many as 1,400 miles. Think of the additional cost consumers pay for the shipping, and the taste and quality they sacrifice.

Buying in season fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets in Montgomery is a win-win situation.

Sourceshttp://www.fma.alabama.gov/BuyLocal.aspx