Business is booming at farmers market

If the economy has hit a slump, Williyia Flowers hasn't noticed.

Between serving a steady stream of customers Friday, she arranged fruits and vegetables on the long table in front of a produce stand at the State Farmers Market on Augusta's Fifth Street.

"This has been a great year," she said. "Last year was, too, but this year is even better."

The produce stand is owned by her uncle, Frank Bivvs. He has had the stand for more than 25 years, growing most of the produce himself and buying the rest from farmers in South Carolina.

Ms. Flowers and her family say they work the stand year-round, seven days a week from 6 a.m. to at least 6 p.m. They sell peanuts, peaches, plums, apples, green beans, butter beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, potatoes, blueberries, onions, watermelons and sweet corn.

"We should be pretty busy this weekend," Ms. Flowers said. The stand will be open for the July Fourth holiday, and she expects her most popular items, peaches and butter beans, to go fast.

Another stand at the market, this one owned by Herbert Allen of Allendale, S.C., reported similar success so far this summer.

Teenagers Keenan Washington and Tom Bennett, who were working Mr. Allen's stand, said watermelons and cantaloupes have been their best-sellers this year.

Mr. Allen says consumers flock to farmers markets to get good deals.

"It's all about looking for a bargain," he said.

According to Kathy Durham of Clearwater, buying from the farmers market is all about peace of mind.

"I don't like getting my vegetables from the grocery store," she said.

She said knowing the vegetables were grown locally, that little to no pesticides were used and that the vegetables were allowed to ripen naturally is worth the extra effort in going to the farmers market.

"The majority of the people here grew these vegetables in their backyard," said her husband, Thomas. "You just can't beat fresh vegetables."

Reach Gracie Shepherd at (706) 823-3228 or gracie.shepherd@augustachronicle.com.