West Homewood Farmer’s Market helps create community

After a successful first year, the West Homewood Farmer’s Market will return this summer with locally grown fruits, vegetables and more.

“We wanted to create a space where people can come and have community and also have a good farmer’s market,” Market Manager Kenyon Ross said.

The Market will have picnic tables set up with games, children’s activities, live entertainment, Alabama farmers, arts and crafts booths, as well as pasta, eggs, cheese, meat, flowers and other plants.

Ross has heard that the market is “the best thing to happen to West Homewood since Publix, a way to bring the community together” and “worth putting off heading to the lake to stop in.”

The market is intentionally small with about 14 booths and a small green sitting area in the center designed to invite fellowship.

“We just want to do something good and enjoy the community it creates,” Ross said.

The Market is hosted by a small group based out of Shades Valley Community Church, but the event is not just for the church members. The Farmer’s Market invites one non-profit vendor each week to promote their cause, and the Market’s goal is to develop community relationships.

The 2012 market will run every Saturday in June and July from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. The fall night market will be August 16, September 13 and October 18 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Check out www.westhomewood.com to see which vendors will be attending each market and to see what products will be sold in particular booths, as well as for more information on the West Homewood Community Exchange and other West Homewood happenings.