Athens boasts a plethora of farmers, food vendors and crafts people selling their wares at markets throughout the week. This year, the local farmers market landscape will be a bit different because the West Broad Market is on pause for the 2025 season.
The West Broad Market, run by the nonprofit Athens Land Trust, is taking a hiatus while funding for the program is assessed, said Young Urban Farmers Coordinator Randy Priest. “It’s not off the table,” he said. “It’s on pause now, and we’ll revisit it as we restructure what we do in the future.”
Shoppers interested in buying from familiar faces at the West Broad Market will be able to see some of those same folks at the Marigold Market in Winterville. Athens Land Trust’s young urban farmers and incubator farmers will sell produce at the Marigold Market every second and fourth Saturday of the month, Priest said.
While there’s some friendly competition, this sort of support is typical for Athens’ markets. Many vendors start at a smaller market while building their businesses. Mannaweenta served Ethiopian/Eritrean food at the West Broad Market before opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant on Gaines School Road. Ceylon Snack Hut, selling Sri Lankan specialities, also started at West Broad before moving to Marigold Market. It’s now a staple at the Athens Farmers Market.
The Athens Farmers Market and Marigold Market both double SNAP/EBT benefits, support local families with food donations and offer a variety of seasonal activities.
“We have a little bit of everything for everyone,” said Brian Strickland, Athens Farmers Market manager. This year, the market will offer more convenient bike parking to encourage more people to ride instead of driving. Bike racks will be stationed near the market’s entrance, with a kind of coat-check process, Strickland said. “You’ll be able to hang your bike on the rack and know that it’s safe,” he said.
The Athens Farmers Market will feature favorite annual celebrations like April’s strawberry day and the autumn harvest fundraiser, but also will host a new wellness-centered event the first weekend in May, Roots 2 Rise. The two-day event will include yoga lessons, holistic health sessions and a sound bath. Ticket sales will help support the FarmRX program, providing food to local needy families.
Strickland said he was a customer at the Athens Farmers Market before landing the job as its manager. His family often chooses to spend their grocery money at the market to support local producers. “We see the economic benefit that it brings to Athens,” he said. “I truly just enjoy being at the farmer’s market.”
If you’re interested in meeting newer farmers and eclectic small businesses, Marigold Market is worth checking out. “I think it has a lot going for it, for family-friendliness,” said communications director Katrina Ohstrom. Pittard Park hosts an adaptive playground and allows leashed dogs through the market. Sarah Hovator, Marigold Market’s executive director and a shepherdess, even sometimes brings baby goats to the market, Ohstrom said.
This year, the market’s farmers worked together to plan a wide array of diverse produce for customers to choose from, said Bradley Wheeler, a market co-manager and farmer at Foxwood Farms in Bowman. “I’m most excited to see the new mix of vegetables that will be hitting the market table this season,” Wheeler said. “The co-op has spent some time over the winter collaborating on what to grow, and I think those efforts are really going to create a bold and exciting experience for both the community and the market as a whole.”
Marigold Market also will hold a fundraiser Apr. 19, Marigold Mingle, to help fund its food donation program.
It’s worth your time to visit both markets. The Athens market has more produce, but it sells out more quickly—those early season tomatoes go fast. If you like having a longer chat with a vendor—Mr. Bill of Mr. Bill’s Beans is a favorite of mine—Marigold is a better bet.
Marigold Market: Open Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. April through December at Pittard Park in Winterville. The group also runs a Monday market from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. with online pre-ordering or in-person shopping available.
Athens Farmers Market: Open Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon March through December at Bishop Park. A smaller mid-week market is held Wednesdays, 5–8 p.m. March through November at Creature Comforts Brewing Co. The group also holds a winter market January through February.
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