Eastanollee Cannery Opens Local Growers Market Today

By Jessica Waters, WNEG Radio

In Stephens County, beginning today, the Local Growers Market at the Eastanollee Cannery will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Thursday. The Market will give residents the chance to buy local fruits and vegetables harvested by area farmers.

For farmers who wish to sell items at the market, there will be no fee to sell homegrown items, but sellers must visit the Cannery to fill out an application and review the rules and policies in advance.

According to Eastanollee Cannery Manager Richard Johnson, the purpose of the market is for local farmers to have a place to sell and purchase homegrown vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, plants, and eggs. This market will not include arts and crafts or processed foods like jams, jellies, pies, baked goods, and canned items.

Sellers will not be required to stay all day as many will have limited quantities and may sell out early, he added.

Only one local grower, Haygood Farm, will be selling items for the opening day tomorrow, with limited quantities of eggs, kale, snow peas, and a variety of herbs.

Johnson explained that the first few weeks the Market is open are expected to be slow, because it is still early in the growing season, but he said that once crops start coming in, the Market will feature more homegrown items.

As part of the opening day events, Stephens County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent Erin Harper will host an “Ask the County Extension Agent” information table from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. She will have soil sample bags, planting brochures, and a list of upcoming events.

Open to the public, The Eastanollee Cannery, located at 582 Eastanollee School Road in Eastanollee, offers food processing equipment and sells meats, cheeses, dried food items, and more. Cannery hours are Monday – Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Cannery is closed Friday – Sunday. The Stephens County School System owns and operates the Eastanollee Cannery for Agriculture Education.

For updates and weekly sales, follow the Eastanollee Cannery Facebook page.