Michelle Mann OZARK — A 2,400-square-foot covered farmers market in the city of Ozark officially opened for business with a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday afternoon.
Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce Director Rosmarie Williamson and her sister Linda Barefield are among those happy to see the new location for the farmers market. Williamson said she had been asked in 2020 by State of Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industry Marketing Development Specialist John Willoughby to consider restarting a farmers market in Ozark. One had been held for a short time in the parking lot at the shopping center across from city hall years ago.
Tuesday, Blankenship thanked State of Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate and State Rep. Steve Clouse for $200,000 for the farmers market, budgeted in the Agriculture and Industry’s budget. Wiregrass RC&D has awarded the project a $30,000 grant. The Dale County Commission and Ozark City Council have also assisted financially with the project.
Pate said that the farmers market is part of the Sweet Grown Alabama branding initiative to boost Alabama-grown foods started when he first took office. Shoppers have a way to identify locally grown products with the Sweet Grown Alabama logo.