When looking for fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, or anything local, the Gainesville Farmers Market in the square is the place to go. You will come across kids and adults enjoying an ice cream cone on a hot day while listening to local artists’ play.

“I always drop by the farmers market when I get a chance just to stock up on some things for my weekend meals and it also distracts my kids for a while,” said Mary Guiterrez.

Mandy Shook, a vendor at the market since it started, comes out every Friday to sell her homegrown vegetables from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. All the vendors of the market have to grow their own products as a requirement. 

Guiterrez, much like others, rather get their fruits and vegetables from here because they feel like it is better quality and fresher than what you can get at any supermarket.

“We have customers that call the house to place an order and ask us to save some of our products for them,” Shook said. She takes a lot of joy in knowing people like her products and all her hard work in the garden is paying off. She also has homemade honey that she pulls from her farm in Cleveland. She has different flavors of honey but has sold out of almost everything this season. 

When COVID-19 hit the market was shut down for a couple of weeks. When they opened back up, they did notice a decline in the amount of people the vendors saw. “We mostly don’t see the older ones as much, they are afraid to come out which makes sense,” Shook said. 

The Gainesville Farmers Market brings not only local food products, but it also brings our community together.

“I love coming here, it gives me something to look forward to and I always leave with more things than what I wanted to purchase,” -Mary Guiterrez 

You can also find other local markets at the Hall County Farmers Market at 734 E. Crescent Drive, Gainesville on Tuesdays from 2:30-6:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8a.m.- noon.

The Flowery Branch Farmers Market is on the lawn at City Hall on Thursdays from 3:30-6:30 p.m.

The Braselton Farmers Market is at 9924 Davis St. on Fridays once a month from 4-7 p.m. Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19.