Farmers markets open for season
Farmers markets in Franklin County are open for business. Shoppers – and farmers – are wanted.
Gary Stanford, market manager at the Franklin County Farmers Market in Russellville, said he’s “trying everything I can think of” to recruit more sellers to the market as well as buyers. Fresh produce is in great supply, from beans and potatoes to squash, green tomatoes and fruit.
The Franklin County market is located in the open pavilion adjacent to the A.W. Todd Centre and is operated by the Franklin County Extension. Also reopened for the season is the Red Bay Farmers Market, located at the Fun Park.
The Franklin market opened June 2 and will stay open through October. The Red Bay Farmers’ market opened June 1 and will stay open through the end of September. The Russellville market is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 6 a.m. to noon., and the Red Bay market is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Stanford said he encourages all farmers who have been sellers in previous years to return to the market and also invited new farmers to take part – it’s no fee to set up at the market. “It doesn’t have to be a big farm; you could have a small garden,” Stanford said.