Valley Parks and Rec Farmers’ Market provides fresh food and fun

BY KADIE TAYLOR

THE LAFAYETTE SUN

VALLEY — The Historic Langdale Mill Farmers’ Market is returning for the summer season, from May 15 through Aug. 14 every Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. Growers, crafters, bakers and more are invited by Valley Parks and Recreation to apply to be a vendor.

“If you’re a farmer and you have your growers permit; if you have household plants you want to sell; if you’re a baker and have your cottage food law license, and want to sell jams, jellies or anything like that; or if you’re an arts and crafts person and you have homemade items you’d like to sell — if you fit any of those categories, we’d love for you to apply,” Valley Parks and Recreation Program Coordinator Annabel Thompson said. “We’re definitely trying to grow the Farmers’ Market. We had about seven or eight regulars last season, and that’s pretty good, but I’d love to double that and give more farmers the opportunity to sell. And, of course, [that gives] our local community more options for items to buy. So we’re getting excited that’s going to start up pretty soon.

Through providing an option for local artisans and farmers to sell their products, Thompson said the Historic Langdale Mill Farmers’ Market also provides a space for locals to purchase food and goods crafted in their own community. 

“I think our community definitely relies on our local farmers’ market,” she said. “It helps support our local growers, our makers, our bakers and it’s giving our local residents and the surrounding communities direct access to fresh, locally-grown and made products. So it’s definitely going to bring people together, through the connection and community pride, while providing an opportunity for our farmers to make an impact and a profit in our community from the things they sell. Also, the farmers have things that are maybe not in season at the grocery store, but they grow them just to bring them to the farmers’ market, because they know that people are going to ask for them.”

For those looking for a space to sell some hand-grown or crafted items, Thompson said applications for vendors are accepted until the first day of the market, but proper permits are required for those selling food or produce. 

“If you are a farmer, you have to get your Grower’s Permit through the extension office, and that’s not a difficult process, but if you don’t have it yet, that may be a barrier,” she said. “But it’s very simple. You just call the Extension Office and you can set up a time for them to come inspect your farm. But for farmers, before you apply through Valley Parks and Rec, you need to get your Growers’ Permit. If you’re a baker and you make sourdough bread, jams, jellies or anything like that, or honey is one we see a lot, you need to have your Cottage Food Law. That’s something that Alabama requires for people to sell at markets, and it’s through the Health Department.”

For more information, visit Valley Parks and Recreation on Facebook or call (334) 756-5290.

“We really want to increase participation in the market this season; it’s going to be great,” Thompson said. “We’re going to have our free Tomato Sandwich Day and our free Watermelon Slice Day. Then we have a couple of new ideas in the works that we’re hoping will bring more foot traffic down there. But if you’ve ever thought about being a vendor, please apply because we definitely want to increase participation in the market, because it really is a special market. I love being down there on Fridays.”