Farm fresh: Farmers Market opens 10th season on Saturday
by Lindsay Field
lfield@mdjonline.com
April 06, 2012 12:17 AM | 3503 views | 8 8 comments | 20 20 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Andy Bray picks strawberries which is one of the items he routinely brings to the Marietta Square Farmers Market in the spring.<br>Staff/Laura Moon
Andy Bray picks strawberries which is one of the items he routinely brings to the Marietta Square Farmers Market in the spring.
Staff/Laura Moon
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MARIETTA — Lovers of locally grown food can rejoice: the Marietta Square Farmers Market will kick off its 10th year tomorrow.

The market will be held in downtown Marietta on Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons through Nov. 17.

On Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon, the 60-plus vendors are set up on North Park Square between Shillings and The Strand Theatre. The Sunday afternoon markets, which have more than 30 vendors selling goods from noon to 3 p.m., are just west of the Square, along Mill Street.

“They are pretty much the same vendors we’ve had in the past,” said Johnny Fulmer, who founded and runs the market with his wife, Susie. “People have gotten these spots and they are just not giving them up.”

Fulmer said products for sale include grass-fed beef, pork, chicken, rabbit, cheese, goat milk, and fruits and vegetables, as well as baked goods.

“Fresh, locally grown produce, most of which is certified naturally grown, is something that our growers have really worked hard on, to offer something really special that you can’t find in the grocery store,” Fulmer said.

Fulmer’s personal favorites at the market are cucumbers, tomatoes, squash and lettuce. He also likes buying bacon from a vendor out of Avondale Estates in DeKalb County.

“They bring applewood-smoked bacon, and that’s one thing my wife won’t let us go home without,” he said with a laugh.

Andy Bray, of Bray Family Farms in Powder Springs, has had a booth at the market for the last five years. Bray and his wife, Nancy; their son A.J.; and Andy’s grandmother, Frances Keener, sell grass-fed beef, pork and poultry, and eggs from their free-range chickens.

Bray Family Farms, one of the few farms remaining in Cobb, is off Oglesby Road in south Cobb.

“They also grow watermelons on another property right around from there,” Fulmer said.

Andy Bray, 49, said he’s worked there since he was a child. He loves being able to grab a cup of coffee in the morning, and simply walk outside to arrive at work.

“You just can’t beat that,” he said.

The 23-acre farm has about 400 chickens, 13 goats and 13 cows, plus rows of produce.

The family has participated in farmers markets for nearly 20 years but for awhile farming took a backseat to running Andy Bray’s business, Affordable Grading and Hauling.

“We went full-time when the economy got hit (in 2008) and jobs got scarce,” he said. “We decided to cut our losses and farm.”

Marietta’s Farmers Market is one of the best around, he said.

“We’ve got good customers and we sell a lot of squash, corn, green beans, onions, strawberries and blueberries,” he said. “Johnny and them are great, especially at promoting it and having the great location.”
Comments
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MAY-RETTA SURVIVOR
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April 08, 2012
Thank you, MDJ, for publishing the photograph and article about Mr. Bray. It was/is indeed refreshing to read something about someone who contributed to society and the welfare of others...rather than the almost-daily articles about certain elements in our community who appear to always be going around with their hands out "wanting" something and endlessly thinking that they are "entitled" to getting something for nothing.
s jones
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April 07, 2012
It is not the dogs, it is the owners that need to be responsible. Our family, including our dog, has been coming to the market for years. We love that Big Daddy Biscuits is there to have wonderful healthy treats. What about all the screaming/crying children who are dropping food all over the street. .Should we leave them at home too!!! shinfav

Johnny Fulmer
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April 06, 2012
The Sunday Farmers market will start April 15th, from noon until 3 pm and will be located on Mill St.
MEAGAN2
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April 06, 2012
I think the Farmers Market is great and offer many choices to shop from. However, I do not like when people bring their animals. Pet hair, animal feces and urine should not be in the same area with food. It's not sanitary at all! Dogs should not be allowed in that area while shopping for food and produce. Maye someone need to open a pet daycare while customers shop.
i agree
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April 06, 2012
Good point.

P Davis
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April 08, 2012
How can you say that there is feces, urine and pet hair. First, all the vendors are required to have the food covered per the department of health and department of Agriculture. Second, pet owners take the dogs over to the park to do any business necessary and have poop bags if something happens. I know for a fact that the dog biscuit vendor has them if needed at her booth. I agree with the comment above that customers need to watch their children just as much.
Bob R
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April 06, 2012
I would say that the market is one of the better ideas to happen in Marietta. It's a great place to have a stroll in the fresh air, try some unique food products or bring back memories from a time long past! The pot pies from Paul's Pot Pies are incredible and even though I have enjoyed many, I never refuse Roberta's offer of a sample! Brings back some great memories of childhood dinners, but I must admit that my Irish grandmother never put a jambalaya pot pie on our table!
Samantha Morris
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April 07, 2012
Loved the market today. I bought some honey, fresh veggies, eggs and delicious pies from BLU Greek tavern! The pita and hummus are just awesome! Planning on being back next week for more.
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