The Gallatin Farmers Market is now open for the 2021 season following what organizers describe as one of its best years ever despite the pandemic.
The market, which held its opening day May 1, is located at 160 W. Franklin St. next to the Gallatin Police Department. It’s organized each year by the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce and will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. through October.
“Now more than ever, there is a desire for local products and for people to know where their food came from and how it was grown,” Chamber CEO Kim Baker said. “Our goal is for our famers market to bring more attention to Gallatin’s close ties to agriculture, spotlight our local farmers and producers and really create more of a destination for our downtown.”
Organizers say more than 20 vendors, mostly from the Gallatin and Sumner County area, are expected to take part in the market this season.
Products available to purchase will vary each week and range from vegetables, meats, baked goods, eggs, jams, jellies, popcorn, honey and coffee, to soaps, lotions, bath salts, laundry detergent, essential oils and other handmade items.
“Our best advice is to always shop early,” Baker said. “If you want the full selection, arrive when the market opens because they sometimes have limited items and they do go fast.”
In addition to being open every Saturday, organizers also host the Moonlight Market from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on the third Friday of each month through November.
The monthly evening shopping event at the market, now in its second year, focuses on vintage items, vinyl records and other handmade items.
“We knew there were a lot of displaced artisan vendors out there that had nowhere to vend because artisan markets and different festivals were cancelled,” Baker said about the launch of Moonlight Market last year. “It was very successful, and in addition to the items available for sale, we think it also brings more foot traffic to our downtown area helping support our brick-and-mortar retails and restaurants as well.”
In September, the chamber will also hold its first farm to table dinner in downtown Gallatin.
The inaugural event will feature live music, a silent auction and a four-course meal with most of the ingredients sourced from local farmers.
All proceeds from the silent auction will go towards local agriculture-related education projects, Baker said.
Tickets for the Gallatin Farm to Table Dinner are expected to go on sale June 15 and will be $75 per person.
For more information about the Gallatin Farmers Market, including weekly updates on which vendors will be in attendance, follow the market’s Facebook and Instagram pages or contact the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce at 615-452-4000.
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