We’re going to have a good variety this year and I am very proud of that. We are going to be very versatile this year.”Ann Moore, market manager
CULLMAN – The Cullman Farmers Market – Festhalle enjoyed its first day of the season on Saturday, April 16. The weather cooperated and the sun shone brightly as people visited Festhalle and shopped for local homegrown strawberries, delicious breads and lots of plants. But that’s not all that was available Saturday; there were many other wonderful items there as well.
“We had 18 vendors here this morning, which is awesome for a first day,” said Ann Moore, market manager. “Really we don’t have all that much stuff because there are no vegetables, but we had a good variety today. We had strawberries, we had our pottery people, we had greens, onions and some baked goods so we came out really, really good.
“The traffic has been good. I think the Bloomin' Festival has helped some. I have one of my signs out on Highway 278 saying that the market is actually open, so I think a lot of people have swung back through here to check things out. It has been really good. I hope this is the beginning of the whole year being this good. If it is then we will have an awesome year.
“All of our spots have been rented for the year. We have a new edition; Brickyard Meats is going to be here all year. I think he’s done pretty well today; he has sold a lot of jerky. I’m not sure what else he had, but I know he has sold a lot of that. I’m very tickled. I hope all year will be as good as it was today.”
The Farmers Market is now open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. through October. Keeping it in Cullman is the goal and is what makes the Farmers Market special. By shopping there, citizens support local farmers and purchase fresher produce, which is a super nutritious option. Shopping at the Farmers Market also allows people to connect and get to know others throughout the community.
“Everyone needs to come out and see what all we’ve got because we have all kinds of different stuff,” said Moore. “We have baked goods, pottery, greens and beautiful flowers. We’re going to have a good variety this year and I am very proud of that. We are going to be very versatile this year.”
Moore thinks this year will definitely be a good year for the Farmers Market, especially for the vendors. She plans to install blinds to help keep the sun coming from the east out of their eyes, hopefully in time for the Strawberry Festival. She also has a stove on site and plans to cook breakfast and lunch for the vendors. Saturday morning, she made everyone breakfast burritos.
“We take care of each other,” said Moore. “I’ve got a good bunch of farmers; they have some beautiful produce and they take pride in what they do. I love em,” she laughed. “I’m not a vegetable eater, but I love my farmers!”
Not only was it a successful day for the Farmers Market as a whole, but it was also a very successful day for the vendors who were there.
“Everything has gone good today,” smiled Jean Daniel, one of the vendors. “We’ve had lots of customers, lots of vendors and the sales are great. Everybody ought to come out. We have had a lot of people stop by after they went to the Bloomin' Festival and they seemed to have enjoyed both the Bloomin' Festival and the market.”
Cullman Farmers Market – Festhalle is located at 209 First Ave. NE. For more information, call 256- 775-7207 or visit www.facebook.com/cullmanfarmersmarket.
