Published Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Coweta County home-grown vegetable market opens for the summer season

The Times-Herald

A cold, wet winter slowed Coweta growers' crops a bit, but buyers were out in force Monday morning looking to grab some home-grown goodness from more than a dozen Coweta gardeners peddling their surplus vegetables at the Asa Powell Sr. Expo Center.

The expo center is adjacent to the old Coweta County Fairgrounds, now part of Coweta Recreation Department's center on Temple Avenue.

Market manager Mary Payne, who has overseen the operation for several years, says it's always a joy to see eager customers drool over the fresh vegetables some have dreamed about all winter.

Payne was at the market bright and early Monday selling permits and hoping for big crowds.

"This is always a great time of year, and it's a lot of fun to see the buyers and sellers getting together and doing business, " Payne says. "And the Expo Center is a really good place for everyone to get together."

About a dozen sellers were on hand Monday when the market opened for business. Payne said when gardens are at peak capacity in mid-July, she expects more than 20 sellers. In years past, sellers have shared stalls to accommodate everyone.

The last two years, drought conditions have cut the capacity of local gardens. This year, cool weather slowed things down, but Payne and others are expecting a good harvest.

The biggest problem may not be a lack of produce but a lack of buyers. Not because people can't afford food. Because more are growing their own.

One veteran surplus market vendor, Frank Podjun, of Senoia, says when he moved into his subdivision five years ago and started a garden in his back yard, he was the only grower on his street. Now he estimates 15 neighbors are growing at least some of their veggies.

"I guess it's the economy," Podjun says. "More people are looking to grow their own food. But I've been here three years and done well, and I'm hoping there are still plenty of people out there who don't grow their own."

Podjun also has a secret sales weapon, his twin granddaughters, Madeleine and Payton Schult, who will be helping granddad sell veggies when busy summer schedules allow.

"It's a lot of fun," Madeleine says. "It's nice to meet the people when they come by."

Payton says grandpa's veggies can't be beat. "He grows the best vegetables of anyone," she says. "They're really good."

In addition to fresh veggies, shoppers can find canned pickles, chow-chow, salsa, cakes, pecans and even fresh flowers.

Craig Exner offers fresh blueberries and home-produced honey to sweeten things up. Exner teaches school and runs several science camps each summer -- so weekends are usually his only chance to sell. Monday's opening came on a rare day off, and Exner was glad to put his products on display.

He says he always sells out every year and is confident this will be no different.

"I've got some great blueberries this year and my honey is always good, and people can tell. They buy it and I'm glad they enjoy it."

Danny Smith, a retired postal worker from Grantville is a first-time marketer.

"I've got extra stuff and decided I'd try to sell it," Smith says. "I hope it works out. If it does, I'll keep coming back."

Bill Lee has been selling for years and never had a problem selling out. Monday morning Lee was showcasing squash and zucchini but later this summer he'll be offering tomatoes, okra and butterbeans.

"I've always done well here," Lee says. "I have good produce at a good price and people appreciate that. Everybody ought to come check the market out."

The surplus vegetable market runs all summer. Operating hours are: Mondays and Wednesdays -- 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.; and Saturdays -- 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Sellers are required to be residents of Coweta County and to have grown their own produce. There is a $1 seller's fee per sale day to cover market expenses. Those with questions about the market may call the Coweta County Extension Office at 770-254-2620.