Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1515764
72 maconmagazine.com | FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024 FARMERS MARKET VENDORS Ava's Apples Bakery To Go Bone Creek Farm Elizabeth Tyre Art EM Farms Everyday Farm and Garden Frios Pops Macon Gert's Werks Jams, Jellies, Jewelry, and More Maco Dairy Farm Marie's Baked Goodies and More Middle Georgia Grower's Cooperative Our Big Oak Porter's Place Rag & Frass Farm Shirley's Baked Goods Talumeria Farm The Peanut Maaann! Unrefined Baking Co. Vesterfield Farm Wild Roam Club 10 tips F O R E AT I N G A N D S O U R C I N G L O C A L LY f r o m t h e v e n d o r s a t t h e P o p l a r S t r e e t F a r m e r s M a r k e t BY SIERRA STARK STEVENS AND LAURA COLLINS PHOTOS BY MIKE YOUNG bread, and match the value in produce," said White. "Even a five-dollar weekly commitment supports the local food system." If you're interested in local food, but don't have anything to spend, "there are many ways to support without reaching into your pockets. Spread the word or lend a helping hand. A farmer may need help on their farm or a cashier at markets," said Kaneisha Miller of EM Farms. 2 ENJOY THE ANTICIPATION As you find the foods you want to wait for, you may discover new favorites along the way. Lena White of Middle Georgia Growers Cooperative said, "Instead of all the same recipes all year, we begin to fully embrace crops like eggplant, turnips, or pumpkins, celebrate our favorites such as tomatoes, and realize absence makes the heart grow fonder and more creative. Edna Lewis is a favorite inspiration." 3 KEEP IT PRACTICAL "Incorporating local produce into your routine doesn't have to be dogmatic or limiting; it should be fun, delicious, practical and liberating," Asherman said. Food choices are "personal decisions impacted by many factors including time, money, culture, and kids; it doesn't have to be all or nothing." 4 ALL BUDGETS ARE WELCOME "Food access is a concern in our community and around the country," Asherman shared. PSFM "is one of many Georgia markets able to accept EBT and 'double' it for fresh produce. This means a customer can buy the basics such as meat, eggs, or 1 ASK QUESTIONS If you're not sure where to start, "go to the market and talk with the farmers who grow the food," said Julia Asherman of Rag and Frass Farm. "We can tell you how to prepare produce that is unfamiliar, share recipes, and even explain how to store produce properly. D oes eating locally and seasonally sound complicated to you? Let the Poplar Street Farmers Market (PSFM) vendors be your guide. Not only do they deliver local, seasonal goodies every week in Downtown Macon on Poplar Street between 3 and 6 p.m., but they're also full of insights about making Central Georgia-grown a part of your everyday life. From creative recipes and affordability tips to a diverse array of offerings, living la vida local might be even more enjoyable than you think. Carrots and radishes grown at Rag & Frass Farm. Lena White of MGGC and Chef Lane Richardson of Dovetail.