Love fresh food? Check out these two local farmers markets in Montgomery
Reading time: 4 minutes
Warm weather, fun and fresh food. Mark your calendar because EAT South in Montgomery has several upcoming events that will teach you how to make your garden happy and healthy. Read on for more info, plus discover some local farmers markets worth your while.
Meet EAT South
EAT South is an urban teaching farm in Montgomery, Alabama. Their farm engages local Montgomery communities through farm exploration, workshops and lectures and farming research. EAT stands for “Educate. Act. Transform.” They want to change how people understand how food travels from the ground to plates. A unique part of their teaching farm is their South Asian Produce project.
Bashira Chowdhury, a researcher at Auburn University, noticed how Alabama’s small farms lacked sustainable income. Pulling from her Bangladeshi heritage, Chowdhury partnered with Caylor Rolling of EAT South and Fabia Hossain, a marketing intern, to start the South Asian Produce project Summer 2020.
Their goal is to figure out which South Asian vegetables will grow in Alabama and then connect farms with South Asian markets to sell the new produce. Planting more South Asian produce expands farms’ cliental into Alabama’s growing South Asian population while ensuring a rotation of seasonal crops for steady income. EAT South is transforming farm life in Alabama.
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 8AM-dusk
- Location: 485 Molton St, Montgomery, AL 36104
- Contact: Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Call
Check out their upcoming March events
Farmily Days
- When: Saturday March 6 | 11AM-1PM
- Cost: Free
- What: Join their Farmily Days to explore the farm, snuggle bunnies, feed chickens and a take home vegetable and herb harvest. Make sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and bring water and a snack. Reserve your hour spot by emailing goodfoodday@eatsouth.org.
Creating a Community Garden—Experiences from Montgomery’s Neighborhood Garden
- When: Saturday March 6 | 1-3PM
- Cost: Free
- What: EAT South welcomes Nick Rankins (Young Men on a Mission/Nixon Times Garden) and Lois Cortell (Old Cloverdale Community Garden) to share how they started their gardens and ways their gardens connect with the community. Amanda Miller will be available to answer questions about city resources for starting neighborhood gardens. Register by emailing farmer@eatsouth.org or call.
Organic Gardening 101
- When: Saturday March 13 | 1-3PM
- Cost: Free
- What: Considering a garden but not sure where to start? This class covers basic information on planning and building a garden that is good for you and the environment. The class will be outside, so dress for the weather, wear shoes that can get dirty and bring water. Register on Eventbrite, by calling or emailing farmer@eatsouth.org.
Local farmers markets in Montgomery
Check out these markets for fresh produce and more garden inspiration.
1. Fairview Farmers Market
I’m feeling inspired for farm fresh recipes. Photo via Fairview Farmers Market’s Facebook This was the inspiration for “Watermelon Sugar.” Photo via Fairview Farmers Market’s Facebook
Fairview Farmers Market is open all year round every day of the week. They sell produce, plants, homemade pepper sauces, crafts and gift baskets for special holidays.
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 7AM-6PM | Sunday 8AM-4PM
- Location: 60 W Fairview Ave, Montgomery, AL 36105
- Contact: Facebook | Call
2. Sweet Creek Farm Market
That goat is eyeing the ice cream cone. Photo via Sweet Creek Farm’s Market’s Facebook Creamed honey in coffee is a blessing. Photo via Sweet Creek Farms Market’s Facebook
Sweet Creek Farm Market is a market, café and petting zoo. You can shop for produce and other home made crafts and then enjoy a meal or snack. Perfect place to bring children with their lambs, goats and chickens to feed.
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9AM-7PM | Saturday 7AM-6PM | Sunday 11AM-6PM
- Location: 85 Meriwether Rd, Pike Road, AL 36064
- Contact: Facebook | Instagram | Call