Opening for its 16th season, the Statesboro Mainstreet Farmers Market kicks off Saturday, April 6th. Located directly behind the Statesboro Visitor's Center, this will be the 3rd year at the market's new location at 222 South Main Street.
Last year, a walkway was installed behind the center that leads to the Willie McTell Trail, along with a dedicated area for picnic tables. The new picnic area is the perfect place to take a break from shopping and enjoy a fresh coffee and pastry from one of the market vendors.
From flowers, fresh eggs, produce, live music, food vendors, artisans, plants, to baked goods, you will find it all at the Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market. Willow Farmer, Market Manager shared there will be over 60 vendors opening day.
According to Visit Statesboro, last year’s opening day brought in almost 2,400 shoppers from all over the region. Becky Sanders, President/CEO of Visit Statesboro says, “Record attendance and record sales show that the Farmer’s Market has a tremendous economic impact on Bulloch County.”
The Statesboro Farmers Market is proud to partner with Wholesome Wave Georgia to implement their "Georgia Fresh for Less" program, which matches SNAP/EBT dollar for dollar. The program encourages federal nutrition assistance beneficiaries to buy fresh, local produce directly from Georgia farmers when shopping with participating farmers markets or farmers.
Their mission is to increase access to fresh, healthy, local food. According to Wholesome Wave Georgia, the program 'supports local farmers and contributes to the state's food economy--more than $3.86 million since 2009.'
Origins of the Market
The Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market was started back in 2005 by Debra Chester and her husband, the late Steve Chester.
"Steve and I had such a love for this community, especially since he grew up here," Debra said. At the time, she was also a chair on the Education Committee at the GSU Botanic Garden. "The market began from an outreach project at the GSU Botanic Garden that helped to educate the community about the Bland Heritage Farm site."
The first several markets were part of the Garden's Spring and Fall Festivals. She found several farmers and food producers who were eager to share information and sell their products. "It was a huge success, and there was a great demand for a market in our community. So we made one!" Several USDA grants allowed the market to purchase tents, tables, and other items, which helped start the market off running.
Debra said, "Education, promotion of agribusiness, and incubation of smaller 'upstarts' were important reasons to begin a market and to stimulate the growth of our downtown by bringing more folks in each week to shop not only at the market but to other stores as well."
The original location of the market was in the parking lot of the Sea Island Bank, now Synovus, downtown, where it stayed until 2021. Debra tells me that for the first 10-12 years, they only operated with volunteers.
"That was amazing," she said. "But it certainly emphasized the determination of our community to keep the market strong."
Over the years, the market has had cooking demonstrations with local chefs, recipe samples, children's cooking activities, giveaways, and free books for children from the Friends of the Library. Some of the original vendors that made the market a huge success were Hunter Cattle, Freeman's Mill, B and G Honey, Southern Swiss Dairy, Jacobs Farm, Lee Family Farms, Walker Organic Farm, and Clark Organic Farm.
Debra states, "Many of these food producers now sell not only locally but throughout the state and country." Several are still with the market today, too, either on Saturdays or the online Market2Go. Debra says, "Today the market maintains its same focus and mission of education and support of local food production. There is a wonderful new location which will stimulate growth and even more enthusiasm for a marketplace to purchase the best foods on the eastern seaboard and to enjoy seeing old friends and making new ones!"'
Shop the Market
The market is located downtown, on 222 South Main Street, every Saturday 9am-12:30pm until Thanksgiving. Keep updated on market happenings by following on Facebook and Instagram.
If you can't make it to the Saturday market, Statesboro Market2Go pickup is available in Statesboro, Sylvania and now Pembroke! Check out their pick up selection here.
