Farmers Market Gearing Up Again

Suwanee city officials are preparing for their annual farmers market with a meeting later this month. But for longtime tenants such as David White, the preparations began in December.

"The worst thing a farmer can do is plant a seed in the ground and not have an avenue to deliver the produce," White, a Lula farmer, said this week. So for White, whose It Began With A Seed farm grows over 200 varieties of produce, the work began in December. Seeds were ordered, and last weekend he began planting the first of this year's crop of broccoli, cabbage and other goods.

This will be the eighth year for Suwanee's farmers market, which will be held at Town Center Park, across from City Hall. The will be March 28, 7 p.m., at, and applications are available now on the city's Web site.

The market is open for those who produce locally grown items, such as farm fresh eggs, meat and produce, said Amy Doherty, Suwanee's events coordinator. Baked goods, jams and jellies also are allowed. Arts and crafts items are not accepted. 

The city allows 30 vendors per season, which is two-pronged. The market is open on Tuesdays, 4-7 pm, from May 3 to Aug. 2. It also will be open on Saturdays from May 3 to Oct. 1, 8 a.m.-noon. Cost is $15 a day or $100 per space for the market's entire season.

For White, it's a chance to satisfy both shareholders and new customers. His 1 1/2-acre farm is not a large outfit that might grow 20 acres of corn and sell wholesale. He has about 50 shareholders that get a basket of produce each week from May to September/October. They are his first obligation, but since he has been successful at growing more than what he needs, he sells the surplus at markets in Suwanee and elsewhere.

And if a shareholder doesn't like one of the varieties of produce that is supplied -- this could include beets, broccoli, cabbage, cilantro -- shareholders can sample the wares in Suwanee.

"They don't have to wait," White said of the Suwanee market. "They can just walk up."

For more about the farmers market in Suwanee, visit the city's Web site: www.suwanee.com.