The Downtown Greenwood Farmers Market is helping people turn grocery shopping into a cooking adventure this summer.
Throughout the season customers will be able to shop for homegrown and homemade products at the market, including fresh blueberries, heirloom tomatoes, chicken and quail eggs, Cornish game hens, greens, bread, squash, fresh herbs and zucchini.
But while those ruby red tomatoes look good and the yellow squash glows as bright as the Delta sunshine, how can you turn those separate ingredients into a family meal? Just ask.
Alisa Lay and Brenda Glenn have a booth each week at the market, where they sell canned and baked goods as well as fresh vegetables from their garden.
“We have a lot of people ask, ‘What do you eat this with?’ or ‘What can I make with this?’” Lay said.
The sisters are always happy to give some suggestions whether it is what to use a canned concoction on, such as their black bean salsa, or how to cook a certain garden vegetable.
“I would describe the vendors at the farmers market as passionate,” she said. “We love doing this and want to share what we love to do with others.”
The sisters have done that with many market goers as well as Lay’s nephew, Jason Glenn.
Jason Glenn will be participating in the market for his second year. He originally started with baked goods and has since expanded into the family business.
“This year, I am taking over making the Bloody Mary mix and chow chow,” he said. “
The market, which is held from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday on the corner of Howard and Johnson streets, has been open since early May but is holding its official kickoff Saturday. The event will include a variety of vendors, children’s activities and special musical entertainment by Cecil Abels of Carrollton.
“We are looking forward to a fun morning,” said Melissa Tribble, executive director of Main Street Greenwood. “This is an opportunity to get involved with the community whether you are a buyer or a seller.”
Although each week will feature a special activity, such as health screenings, children’s activities and entertainment, according to Tribble, it is the fresh foods that really stand out.
Eating fresh is good for both the health and economy of the community, she said.
“This is a great opportunity because everything you buy puts money back into our community,” Tribble said. “Also, this is literally some of the freshest food you can find because it came from your neighbors backyard.”
For more information, contact Tribble at 453-7625 or mainstreetgreenwood@gmail.com.
• Contact Andrea Hall at ahall@gwcommonwealth.com.
