ATHENS-A new program for this season’s Athens Saturday Market is aimed at growing children’s interest in farming and gardening.
The program overseen by Misti Fillingame is called Kids Grow. She said the intent is to raise the next generation of gardeners and farmers through hands-on activities designed to inspire a love of the outdoors and growing food.
“We want to encourage children to make healthy eating choices by offering them the chance to grow their own food and try new foods at our market,” Fillingame said.
The Athens Saturday Market, hosted by the Spirit of Athens, a Main Street organization, will 
open for its fourth season on June 4 at the Green Street pavilion. The market, which has been state certified since 2014, will be open every Saturday in June through August from 8 a.m. to noon.
For the June 4 kick-off day, Chloe Wilson, Foundation Regional Extension Agent of the Limestone County Extension Office, will conduct a farm-to-table presentation for children.
“My goal in this presentation is to help kids better understand where their food actually comes from – not the grocery store,” Wilson said. “I will talk about local farming and promote healthy eating habits.”
Wilson said the presentation will focus on farming in Limestone County and the different things farmers grow.
“We will make it fun with some trivia and jeopardy on fruits and veggies and have some fruits and veggies for the kids to try,” she said.
Wilson will return to the market on Aug. 6 for a program on sun protection.
Adults will of course find the current season’s produce, baked goods, arts and crafts and enjoy local musical acts.
“Our focus is threefold,” said Athens Saturday Market Committee Chairwoman Laurie Glenn. “We want to provide a place for local farmers to sell their produce, provide a place where the community can be educated about food and food preparation and provide a place for the community to gather together with a single purpose.”
Haney Equipment is sponsoring the kick-off day and Chick-fil-A and Alabama Farm Credit are sponsoring the season. The kick-off day will include fresh, locally grown produce and local artisans. Karen Bapst will have tie-dye, gourds, crocheted items and wreaths. April Smith will have hand-sewn items and applique. The musical guests will be Matthew Prater and Jacob Green. Customers are encouraged to bring a chair and enjoy their musical performance.
“We are excited most of our growers are returning, and we have a few new ones,” Glenn said. “We will have strawberries and peaches this season. Customers also can expect to find all of their favorite summer produce, as well as breads, cookies, honey, pork and chicken, birdseed, hummus, herbs, plants, canned foods and Sylvia’s famous gumbo. Additionally, there will be an artist and a musical guest at every market.”
Customers can call Laurie Glenn at 256-998-0232 to have their names put on a newsletter distribution list to receive a weekly email with updated information on foods, artists/musicians and programs.
Growers and prepared food vendors can also call Glenn about future market spaces. Businesses that would like to sponsor one of the Athens Saturday Market events can have a booth with information about their business on their sponsorship Saturday. Potential sponsors can also call Glenn to get on the sponsorship list.
Athens Saturday Market on The Square
The market will move to The Square for three special days during the season. The market will be open the same time from 8 a.m. to noon.
• June 11 – Athens Grease Festival – After shopping for fresh produce and baked goods, return in a toga for this event that honors the Greek origin of the city’s name and is a celebration of all things fried. (Small admission charge for festival: www.athensgreasefestival.com)
• July 2 – Patriotic Day – Wear your red, white and blue and enjoy a tribute to America with festivities such as Most Patriotic Wagon contest.
• Aug. 13 – Tomato Sandwich Day – One of the most popular days at the market. Enjoy a tomato sandwich made fresh with mayo and pepper.
