Caina Lynch
senior from
Fulton, Ky.

One of my favorite things about the spring and summer season is finding produce locally at the local farmer’s markets. Calloway County’s two farmer’s markets will be opening in May. Local farmers, producers and vendors gather together to sell their products to the locals at either the court square or at the fairgrounds.

Products at both markets range according to season, from fresh fruits and vegetables to meats, bread, eggs and general produce. The markets provide the farmers with a sales outlet while providing the public with fresh produce and products from their area. Buying products directly from producer not only support our local farmers, but make a difference in the price because there is no middle man seeking profit.

The Downtown Saturday Market will be celebrating its 14 year anniversary this year upon opening May 12. It will be open every Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon on the court square in Murray until Oct. 27. It offers growers a sales outlet, shoppers more choice and variety than a super market and it brings the community together downtown. I love the downtown market because it is closer to me and has a wider variety.

The Downtown Saturday Market will be joining forces with Murray State University’s Counting Down Office to reach out to students and host Wednesday markets on campus in the month of September. The market has a Facebook page and can be found by searching, “The Downtown Saturday Market.”

The Farmer’s Market of Murray-Calloway County, located at the Calloway County Fairgrounds will be opening Friday, May 25 and be open on Fridays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. All natural grass-fed beef, free-range chicken eggs and organic pork are among the non-produce items at the Farmer’s Market.

It is a little farther of a drive, but if you can’t get up early to get the good stuff on a Saturday morning, Friday afternoons at the fairgrounds are a good alternative.