Rockmart Farmers Market’s new director settling in
The Rockmart Farmers Market is constantly changing.
New vendors, new products, and new events are added regularly, but the latest update comes in the form of a new director.
Melinda King is now officially in charge of organizing the market, recruiting new vendors, and making sure locals have access to the quality products and services they’re used to.
King is no stranger to farmers or the farmers market. She and her husband own a hobby farm in Cedartown, and as a former volunteer, King has an understanding of the vendors and how the business operates.
“I have my own small hobby farm where we basically grow and keep our own animals for our own family,” King said. “I worked in higher-ed at Georgia Highlands for 13 years then made the decision we weren’t gonna be able to do what we wanted to do on the farm as long as we’re both working full time. So, I made the decision to stay at the house and work on the farm. I did volunteer last year with Shonna, so I’m very familiar with the market and the set-up. It was an easy coming in.”
The market will largely be remaining the same. Locals can still look forward to products, the double SNAP feature, cooking classes, and other seasonal events, but King does have visions of growth.
One of her main priorities is increasing the market’s exposure.
“We of course want to grow the market, bring in more vendors, but the biggest thing we want to do is bring more awareness of the market,” King said. “People in Polk County, they don’t know about the market and they don’t know that we double food stamp benefits.”
King is referencing the market’s partnership with Wholesome Wave Georgia that enables patrons to double SNAP up to $50 at the market. This means customers can take home more food, and while not available for certain products, those in need can stock up on plenty of essentials while also making sure local farmers can keep producing.
Thanks to the new season, the market’s hours have also returned to normal. Those interested in shopping or meeting King can visit Rockmart’s Water Street from 2 through 6 p.m. Information about the market and its vendors can be found at http://www.rockmartfarmersmarket.com/.
The Rockmart Farmers Market is known for hosting several other events and activities throughout the year, so patrons are urged to check in around different holidays and seasons to see what’s happening.
Two notable examples are the annual winter Holiday Markets that invite craft makers and other artists downtown to sell their goods and the annual Farm to Table event that gives locals a chance to dine on homemade foods with other citizens in the comfort of downtown Rockmart.
“The market will continue on Thursdays and we’re now back to our normal schedule of 2 through 6,” King said. “We did dial back to 2 to 5 during our winter months, but now that the season is here and they’re harvesting, we’re gonna go until 6. Also, we’re making sure people know that we’re here year-round- except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
Regardless of it evolves, the market will do so under the sponsorship of Floyd Polk Medical Center. Those interested in more details about the group can visit https://www.polkhospital.org/Pages/ default.aspx.