Athens Land Trust’s West Broad Farmers Market will open a drive-thru market on May 9th. We are excited to be able to open in this innovative and socially responsible way. The market will be in its new location at 300 S. Rockpsprings Street (in the parking lot of the Athens Housing Authority. This location is the result of a  partnership with the Athens Housing Authority – they have made their parking lot available and have provided the use of an acre of land adjacent for the new West Broad Garden. All these activities are very near the previous location and in better proximity to the residents of Rocksprings Homes. The market will feature all of the same vendors Athenians have come to know and love and is providing an important venue for sales for many small businesses.

“It’s not quite the opening we had imagined, but our staff and vendors have been amazing and responded to this crisis in creative and flexible ways. We are still very excited about being in our new location, but until we are able to safely gather together, we have created a socially responsible market, where shoppers can still get all of their favorite things,” said Heather Benham, Executive Director of the Athens Land Trust.

The new market will provide for online ordering at wbfm.locallygrown.net. The Market will “open” on Sunday each week at 5:00 pm and shoppers will be able to purchase items via the website until 1:00 pm on Thursday, at which point the market will “close”. Shoppers will be able to pick up their orders via a drive-thru format at the Housing Authority parking lot on Saturday each week between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. There is no fee to sign up to shop with the market, and payment is accepted upon pick-up. The market will be available for the first week of shopping on Sunday, May 3rd, and the first pickup will be Saturday, May 9th. In addition to the online option, residents in the West Broad neighborhood will have
the ability to have menus delivered to their homes each week with a delivery option.

“Our vendors are working on setting up their profiles this week. We will have the same delicious baked goods, fresh local produce, and beautiful arts and crafts that have always been at the Market,” said Ellie Adams, who manages the West Broad Farmers Market.

“We will miss seeing our friends and neighbors, hearing the musical talent, watching the kids ride horses and doing yoga in the garden, but it will all be back when it’s safe. The market was started as a way to support and grow small local businesses, give residents in the West Broad neighborhood access to fresh and healthy food, and create a place where all people can come together. We are very much dedicated to
that vision, and we are excited that we have found a way to deliver on those commitments during this strange time,” said Benham.