(828) 526-0173 | [email protected] | Copyright 2024 – All Rights Reserved.
Greens on the Green
Written By: Deena Bouknight | Issue: 2021/07 – July
Shopping at the Green Market, staged every Wednesday afternoon at the Village Green in Cashiers, is a link to the community’s past and its future.
Local farmers’ markets are some of the best places to not only choose just picked, super-fresh produce, but also hand-crafted, distinct wares. Home-grown, handpicked, and handmade local goodness can be found at the Green Market, Village Green Commons, in Cashiers, from 2-5 P.M. every Wednesday, though October 27. According to Ann Self, Village Green director, the market is “producer only,” meaning that the vendor must be the grower or producer of all the products they sell. Plus, vendors must produce within a 125-mile radius of Cashiers.
Besides filling a basket with naturally raised meat and dairy items, fresh eggs, jams, pickles, freshly baked bread, and delicious granola, there are fresh-cut flowers for the table, herb-scented soaps for gifts and personal use, and much more.
One of the vendors is local farmer Don Deal, who is a member of a multi-generational farming family. The Deals, in fact, were among the first settlers to the area, and records show that Deal ancestors purchased Cherokee lands from the U.S. Government. Growing food on the rich land has been a way of life and a tradition for the Deals, and they have passed down important farming skills through the generations.
Don has been bringing the family’s freshly grown produce to the Green for the past five years. He said, “Cashiers residents are very fortunate to have and should be proud of the facilities at the Green.” He added that he especially appreciates that the market can operate rain or shine with plenty of parking, bathrooms, and an open-air pavilion.
The Green Market will continue to follow best practices to ensure the safety and well-being of customers and vendors. Customers should plan to bring face coverings to shop. Customers should also stay home if they are experiencing illness of any kind. Vendors are expected to follow the same procedures as customers, in addition to ensuring safe set-up and sanitizing practices. To keep up with Green Market news and happenings at Village Green Common, visit CashiersGreenMarket.com.
