Omnivore - EAV’s Thursday farmers market celebrates 10 years
The popular market commemorates a decade of service with special festivities
- Joeff Davis/CL File
- A vendor at the East Atlanta Village Farmers Market
Ten years ago, the East Atlanta Village Farmers Market “was launched with only $275, which went towards the purchase of 5,000 post card size flyers,” according to Georgia Organics records. Since then — the market currently holds court at 561 Flat Shoals Ave. on Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. — the EAVFM has become one of the city’s most cherished community events, hosting more than 20 local vendors each week. Fun fact: Did you know the EAVFM was the first farmers market in Georgia to accept the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit dollars and the first to double SNAP dollars at market, effectively launching Wholesome Wave Georgia?
“Our market has been the town square of the East Atlanta neighborhood for over a decade so we wanted to celebrate this magical place by creating a beautiful park for our community to enjoy every day of the week,” Community Farmers Markets Executive Director Katie Hayes said in a release.
To celebrate a decade’s worth of dedication to homegrown awesomeness, this week’s market (that’s this afternoon, kiddies) is shaping up to be of the extra-festive variety.
In addition to lots of summer fruits and veggies, two hometown food heroes will be there holdin’ it down: Produce prince David Sweeney and burro whisperer Hector Santiago. Keep your eyes peeled for some of Sweeney’s beautiful, gluten-free and vegan granola bars and an on-site cooking demo where he’ll prepare a Thai-style salad with summer squash, beans, and lions mane mushrooms. Santiago will be serving up dishes from his El BurroPollo pop-up stand.
There will also be live music from the local, old-time American music duo Max and Maggie, “a new community art project, giant Jenga, and cornhole. There will also be edible plant seedlings for sale, which, as you may already know, are an ideal way to begin a personal garden. Check the Facebook event page for more info and updates.
In related news, the EAVFM folks are hosting a weekend market, next Sat., June 20, 9 a.m.-noon, in its usual location.