New Growers' Market to open in downtown Candor ♥

Published in the Courier-Tribune on August 31, 2011

by Hugh Martin

CANDOR — The new Candor Downtown Growers’ Market will open on Friday, Sept. 16.

Following several months of meetings and negotiations with the mayor and commissioners of the Town of Candor, the Montgomery County Farmers’ Market Association announced the grand opening.

Hours will be 2:30-6 p.m. each Friday. The market will continue to operate weekly through Nov. 18.

After considering several locations in the downtown area, organizers decided the market will be located on the green space beside the gazebo at the corner of South Main Street and Currie Road. Candor officials had initially wanted the group to locate at the Candor Farmers’ Market facility about a mile from downtown, on the opposite side of the interstate.

“We have wanted to have a market in Candor since the association formed earlier this year,” said Sheila Menendez, manager of the three markets that the group currently operates in Montgomery County.

“Part of our mission as a local market is to make the products of our area farmers easily accessible to the people that live in the communities we serve. This includes those that may not have the transportation to go to a market or grocery store that may be located too far from their homes.”

The markets operated by the association allow only products that are produced in Montgomery and adjoining counties.

“By keeping the products local, consumers may actually meet the people that are working to produce what they are buying,” Menendez said. “The money they spend is also kept in the local economy.”

Officers of the market association recently toured the downtown area with Candor Mayor Richard Britt and Commissioners Leslie Thomas and Tim Smith to evaluate the location. All agreed that it would be the best place for the new market.

“The market will allow the citizens of Candor and surrounding areas easy access to local foods, crafts and entertainment,” Menendez said. “The gazebo offers a place for demonstrations and performers to gather.”

The gazebo and landscaping of downtown Candor were projects of the Candor Small Town Economic Prosperity Demonstration Program. Although not a project of the Candor STEP Committee, the growers’ market will help to achieve that committee’s goal of bringing people to the downtown area.

The market will also bring back the tradition of the local farmers curb market that once operated on the opposite end of the same block. People who remember that market have fond memories of the line of farmers who came to town to sell their produce. That tradition ended with the construction of the Candor Farmers’ Market, which is located east of town beside the US 220/Interstate 73-74 highway. That market will not be affected by the new growers’ market and continues to operate as usual.

The Candor Downtown Growers’ Market opening day will feature local farmers, bakers and crafters. There will be a cooking demonstration by the staff of the Montgomery County office of the N.C. Cooperative Extension. Music will also be provided.

Producers interested in participating in the Candor market, as well as the Troy and Star markets, may contact Menendez at (910) 439-4854 for more information.