The Church St Farmers Market in Douglasville has been crowned a regional award winner by the Georgia Business Journal’s Best in Georgia Awards. As one of the select farmers markets acknowledged statewide, the honor represents a recognition of not only the market's quality but also its contribution to the local community and economy. In its recent season, the Church St Farmers Market recorded a total of 7,149 customers, an impressive number that indicates the market's significant draw amid the bustling local food scene, according to a recent announcement.
The diverse offerings at the market go beyond just fresh produce, it has also become a stalwart for economic inclusion by offering $4,779 in benefits to SNAP/EBT eligible families enabling them to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, the market isn't just a hub of commerce but a beacon of community support. Market Manager Caterina Miceli, in a statement made by the city government's website, expressed her exuberance for the market's progress "I am thrilled with the progress we’ve made during my first season as Market Manager," and she embellished upon the market's feats which included changing locations and bringing in a host of new vendors which were integral parts of maximizing the market's potential for growth and connection.
Under Miceli's stewardship, the market has shown tremendous support for local businesses and farmers as well, accumulating over $91,000 in income for these groups. Not rested on their laurels, the team behind Church St Farmers Market is already preparing for the upcoming 2025 season. Their focus remains on amplifying their SNAP/EBT program to ensure even greater inclusivity amongst the community it serves. Ms. Miceli highlighted her passion for the availability of fresh produce to all segments of society, stating, "I’m passionate about making fresh, locally grown produce accessible to everyone in our community, and I’m excited to continue expanding our SNAP/EBT program to make our market more inclusive," as per the City of Douglasville.
After wrapping a successful run from June 4 to October 29, the Church St Farmers Market is gearing up to greet patrons once more at the Douglasville Town Green starting May 5 of the next year, they will operate every Tuesday from 3-7 PM to serve the community with farm-fresh goods. Anyone interested in the forthcoming season and updates regarding the market can anticipate further information on the movement at the market’s section on the city's official website.
