Despite the rain, vendors at the opening day of The Market at Ag Heritage Park Friday said it was a success.
With booths ranging from fresh tomatoes and cucumbers to homemade grits and goat cheese, there were plenty of choices for those who braved the weather to support local Alabama farmers.
Tommy Aplin, of Aplin Farms in Slocomb, was hard at work with his two children, Chesnee Grace, 4, and Graison, 11.
"We have been coming here since the market opened five years ago," Aplin said as he handed green tomatoes for his son to give to a customer. "This is just a little bit of what we usually have, give it two weeks and we will have fresh tomatoes up here."
Dani Carroll, the market manager said there will be several new vendors this year. The market will feature a new Asian vegetable vendor as well as a certified organic vendor.
Carroll said that people will still see the same top sellers including peaches, strawberries and blueberries. Carroll said she loves the market because, "we put the money directly into the hands of the people that grow it. All the money goes straight to the farmer. I love that because it cuts out 'the man'."
Nicole Kierl and Patty Spears, two fisheries graduate students, have been coming to the market each year since they have been in Auburn.
"I love the fact we are supporting local farmers. You get good quality for a little bit of money," said Kierl.
Kierl said she enjoys getting the blueberries each year, because blueberries just don't taste the same from the store.
Carroll said she hopes to bring in local music acts to perform in weeks to come. In addition she hopes to have educational displays to get children more involved in the events.
The Market will be open every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. until Aug. 27. For more information contact Carroll at 334-749-3353 or carrodl@auburn.edu.
The Market is sponsored by Auburn's College of Agriculture and cosponsored by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
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