Shoppers look through goods at the Myrtle Beach Farmers Market.
Fresh tomatoes, onions, collard greens and lots and lots of strawberries were there for the buying Wednesday, as Myrtle's Market opened for another season in Myrtle Beach.
Health-conscious food shoppers are heading to farmers markets in bigger numbers, according to the US Department of Agriculture, and Myrtle Beach appears to be following that trend. Farmers were pleasantly surprised at the large turnout at the market, considering it was the middle of the week and the first day of the season.
"Well, today the collards is going real good, and the mustards, onions, basically some of it all is doing real well," said produce vendor Terry Williams.
Myrtle's Market is on city-owned property at the corner of Mr. Joe White Avenue and Oak Street and in past years, was operated by the city. After cutbacks in recent years and talk of doing away with the farmers market entirely, the city now contracts with a private operator to run the market.
Third-generation farmer Johnny Graham now manages the market. This year, he introduced new, expanded hours, a year-round schedule and the ability to use credit, debit and electronic benefit transfer (food stamp) cards at nearly all vendors.
Graham says consumers are increasingly going cashless.
"It draws people to you to know that they can come and just use their card and get about their business instead of having to go to bank, get the money," Graham said.
Graham also wants to bring in more arts and crafts booths. There were several vendors selling soaps, hand-made jewelry, fragrances and other non-food items at the market Wednesday.
Vendor Jenette Tyler of the Bayboro community has been selling produce at the market for eight years. She says it will be a challenge to keep the market open year-round, instead of closing for the winter. But, she says, the other changes, especially the ability for shoppers to use debit cards, are welcome.
"People ask for it over and over and we've just not been able to do it and now, it's something that's working out great I think," Tyler said.
Tyler says farmers markets are growing in popularity because people are more conscious about buying locally-grown products.
Jane Kelley of Myrtle Beach, who took home a bag full of cucumbers and two quarts of strawberries, says she wants the freshness of just-harvested produce.
"They pick them and you'll get them the next day or that day."
Her take on the quality of the produce for sale at Myrtle's Market this year?
"Fantastic!" Kelley said, through a mouthful of strawberries.
The market will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Do you seek out locally grown produce? Why or why not?
