Who’s Your Farmer?

Experiencing food at the peak of freshness is a joy unlike any other, and in a world where we’re increasingly becoming more aware of the importance of understanding where our food comes from, knowing who your farmer is seems like a no-brainer! In Auburn-Opelika, there are countless ways to support local farmers, connect with the community, and enjoy the benefits of feeding your family fresh-off-the-farm goodness.

City Market

City Market is back for the summer season. Auburn Parks and Recreation invites the community, growers and consumers alike, to join them in enjoying the city's farmer market. City Market will be held at Town Creek Park on select Saturdays May through August from 8-11 am. The market will host local farmers, growers, and artists to sell their fresh produce and local, handmade products to members of the community. 

The Market at Ag Heritage Park

The Market at Ag Heritage Park features area vendors offering fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, herbs, ornamental plants, and cut flowers as well as locally produced jams and jellies, baked goods, soaps, honey, goat cheese, and more. The Market gives Auburn University employees, students, and all area residents the opportunity to Buy Fresh, Buy Local, directly from the growers. The weekly farmers market is only open every Thursday from 3 - 6 p.m. during the summer months. It is held rain or shine unless severe weather poses a danger to vendors and customers. The Market first opened in 2005 and is a service of the Auburn University College of Agriculture in partnership with the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station.

Hornsby Farms

Located just minutes from downtown Auburn, Hornsby Farms grows over one hundred varieties of fruits and vegetables year-round, but that’s just the start of their story. This family-run farm is operated by the husband and wife team, Josh and Beth Hornsby. They hand plant each and every one of their fruit and vegetable varieties, then handpick and deliver to their customers through farm stands, farmers markets, and even home delivery (locals to Auburn and Opelika can have fresh, seasonal produce baskets from Hornsby Farms delivered each week).

The farm's on-site farm store allows visitors to purchase canned items such as fruit jams in flavors like muscadine and prickly pear, pepper jellies in varieties like persimmon, and pickled vegetables. Shoppers will also find fresh produce, eggs, honey, hand-poured candles, handmade soaps, and a variety of other home and food items produced locally by other farms. 

Often featured at farmer’s markets and festivals, Hornsby Farms goods – like their jams, jellies, and pickled vegetables – can be found at the following establishments:

• Acre in Auburn
• Ace Hardware in Auburn
• Alabama Street Makers Market in Alex City, AL
• Linda’s at Walnut Hill in Dadeville, AL
• The LocAL Market

You’ll find their produce in Auburn-Opelika area restaurants as well as other locations around the state including Acre, Central, Springhouse, Country’s Barbecue, the Auburn University Wellness Kitchen, and others.

For more information about the farm or the Hornsby’s, visit HornsbyFarms.com, email HornbsyFarms@gmail.com or call 334-728-1489.

O Grows Farmer’s Market

Opelika Grows is a non-profit organization that focuses on the importance of locally grown food as well as food security. The group installs gardens throughout the community and educates the public on sustainable agriculture, city beautification, and eating locally.

Speaking of eating locally, The O Grows Farmer’s Market is one of the best ways to support your local famers. The market takes place every Tuesday from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm during the summer season. Farmers and vendors from around the state set up their goods and tents whether rain or shine.  Located across the street from the Cultural Arts Center on Glenn Street in Opelika, guests are invited to the market to find fresh, local produce ranging from heirloom tomatoes to Chilton County peaches, plus fresh bread and baked goods, homemade ice cream, local honey, and more.

Typical vendors include:

• Hale Farms
• Aplin Farms
• Serenity Farms
• Heritage Farms
• Frugal Fruit
• AL Hooks Produce
• Pulliam Farms
• Carson Farms
• M&S Produce
• Leo's Produce
• Lyco Farms
• Jimmy Dykes, also known as the Corn Can
• H.M. Bryce Farm
• Bee Hive Farms
• Scoops Real Italian Ice
• Carson Farms
• Gypsy Girl Jewelry Boutique

O Grows holds additional events throughout the year, including the Chili Cook-Off and Fall Festival, which raises funds for greenhouse and educational programs to help the organization thrive through the cool season. O Grows also features Second Saturdays at Community Garden, which takes place the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 am across from the Cultural Center on Glenn Street. Presenters at Second Saturdays share expertise on a seasonally related topic while children can join the Sprouts program where they will learn and grown in the Kids Garden. To follow along with the events and activities available throughout the year, be sure to like O Grows on Facebook.  

When you visit these markets, you’re not only getting the freshest food and goods available but there’s a sense of community that can’t be replicated in a chain or big-box grocery store. Talking to the farmers about their products is an experience in itself (some even love sharing their favorite ways to prepare your finds), but most importantly, you’re getting the best tasting food, a wide variety of options, and you’re supporting your local economy! For more information about farmers and fresh food in Auburn-Opelika, head to AOTourism.com/AgriTourism. 

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