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Market opens for season
Local produce available downtown
4 Produce Market pic3
From left, Deborah and Anslee Hester help Kim Tankersley pick produce from the bed of a pickup truck Tuesday morning at the city hall farmers market. - photo by Frank Reddy Dawson Community News

Shoppers looking for fresh seasonal produce have four days a week to take advantage of farmers’ markets in downtown Dawsonville.

  

The Dawson County Extension Service’s eighth annual market is under way, running from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at 298 Academy Ave.

  

In addition, the city of Dawsonville announced the opening of its inaugural farmers market behind city hall. Vendors and buyers are welcome from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

  

The city’s market will be open through October. The extension service’s market will be open throughout the summer.

  

Kim Cornelison, city administrator and clerk, said Dawsonville officials “have been out examining other municipalities and saw that it was a great opportunity for local people to buy and sell locally grown produce.”

  

Cornelison said canned goods like jams, jellies and honey are welcome. Other types of canned goods will require health standards certification by the seller.

  

The extension service’s market does not allow canned foods.

  

Clark Beusse, local extension coordinator, said “only fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Dawson and surrounding counties” may be brought to the market.

  

“The market provides a good place for people to buy fresh produce, and they can actually look at who grew it and talk with them,” Beusse said.

  

“It builds relationships between gardeners, farmers and people who don’t or can’t grow plants. It’s a social advantage as well as an economic one.”

  

Beusse advised shoppers to show up early because “some of the vendors sell out in a little over an hour.”

  

Vendors interested in selling goods at the extension service market may fill out an application at the event. Those who have sold at previous events need not apply. Selling is free.

  

Beusse said “with the growing season we’re having, I predict there will be plenty of fresh produce at this year’s market.”

  

Those interested in selling at the municipal market should contact the city to fill out the necessary paperwork. There is a $10 per month fee to sell at city hall.