Enhancing Food Accessibility: Forsyth Farmers Market Launches Corner Store Initiative

The Forsyth Farmers Market is starting fresh this year with exciting new plans after facing tough times last year due to financial struggles.

As part of a restructuring effort, the market has paused its Farm Truck 912 and some other programs but is launching a new initiative. They are opening a corner store in their office building at 6228 Waters Ave.

The Forsyth Farmers’ Market Corner Store will be open from Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shoppers can find a selection of fresh produce from local farmers, along with artisanal goods from small businesses that usually sell at the Saturday market in Forsyth Park.

Asia Harold, the Director of Community Engagement, shared the importance of creating a local food system. “We want to break down barriers to access,” she explained. Many people face challenges like transportation issues or busy schedules that make it hard to shop at the market.

The Corner Store will allow residents to access fresh produce during the week in a more relaxed setting. When Forsyth Farmers Market moved to their new office in August 2023, they realized they had extra space that would be perfect for a retail area.

The store will work alongside the upcoming plan to relaunch Farm Truck 912. Although they haven’t set a specific schedule yet, Harold is optimistic that it will be ready soon. There’s also hope to extend Corner Store hours in the future, possibly including weekends and evenings.

Customers can expect a range of seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as artisanal products like handcrafted cheeses, breads, jellies, and jams. There will also be prepared foods from local vendors, including granola, coffee blends, hot sauces, stone ground grits, and local honey.