Any Thursday afternoon during the summer, white tents are clustered at the corner of Lem Morrison and Donahue drives.
This corner is where The Market takes place.
The Market is open every Thursday this summer from 3-6 p.m. at the corner of Lem Morrison and Donahue Drive.
Underneath these tents are fruits of labor and love: locally grown produce, honey, cheeses, preserves, baked goods, soaps, eggs and meat.
"I've been trying to buy more local produce," said Katherine Whitehead, senior in Nutrition Science. "I'm glad I can do that in Auburn."
One of the farmers who has been providing for The Market since its inception in 2005 is Al Hooks, owner of Al Hooks Produce.
Hooks' farm is located in Shorter, Alabama, located approximately 35 minutes west of Auburn.
"He had some wonderful looking greens," said Jill Hill, regular customer at The Market.
Hooks has been farming for over 50 years.
"Well, I'm 66, and I grew up on the same farm that I work on now," Hooks said.
Hooks said the best part about farming is how it affects others.
"To be at a market like this and see people buy something that's going to be good for their body is a joy," Hooks said.
However, Hooks said the past growing season has been a thorn in his side.
"It really affected our strawberries," Hooks said. "We're not going to pick a 10th of what we harvested last year. Normally, we run until July, but this year we won't pick enough berries to pay the plant bill."
Hooks' farm also included a logging business and cattle farm, but he had to scale back after his wife suffered a massive stroke and he was injured from a logging accident.
"There's just something about farming," Hooks said.
Hooks' farm harvests between 25-30 different crops each year. These range from Southern staples like tomatoes and peppers, to the exotic, like bok choy.
Hooks said collard greens are a big seller for him.
Hooks supplies them at three Jim 'N Nicks restaurants, including the Auburn location.
Hooks also supplies black eyed peas and squash at these restaurants, as well as the restaurant in Birmingham Brick and Tin.
Hooks has a calm demeanor when he points out the different types of greens to customers.
"My favorite thing?" Hooks said, then grinned. "Collards."
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