State Farmers Market
Exploring Alabama’s Oldest Farmer’s Market
The State Farmers Market in Montgomery is a family-friendly market located off of Federal Drive next to the Alabama National Fairgrounds Garrett Coliseum, and near the Montgomery Zoo.
According to the owner, Jean Wright, the market was built in 1986 by the state of Alabama. Today, the building still operates in its original structure with the same ownership. Wright has been the owner of the farmer’s market for over 30 years.
The State Farmers Market is the only market built by the state. Though others are also decades old, the market is the oldest continuously operating one in Alabama. The State Farmers Market is constantly busy with frequent visits from its loyal customers.
“Everyone who visits the State Farmers Market have been longtime customers,” Wright said.
The market supplies customers with local farm-grown produce and plants provided by Wright’s Produce, along with homemade cake and other magical items.
Location
The farmer’s market is located in northeast Montgomery. It’s a five minute drive from the Maxwell Air Force Base.
More About the Market
Among the unique and delicious items sold at the market is Mountain Dew jelly. Longtime customer Djuana Dejarnette says she has been going to the State Farmers Market for five years to buy the jelly. “I like to shop there for Mountain Dew Jelly,” Dejarnette said. She proceeded to say that they are the only place she has known to sell Mountain Dew jelly.
Dejarnette also said the market is a significant place in Montgomery because it had been around for a longtime. “It’s the best place to get fresh fruit and vegetables if you do not have a garden yourself, as well as purchase items that are freshly made locally in Alabama,” she said. She also said she plans on being a lifelong customer of the farmer’s market.
The owner of the market hopes to continue to serve customers like Dejarnette.
Wright says there aren’t any plans to move or add to the location of the State Farmers Market. However, they will continue to stay open everyday all year.
For more information call Wright’s Produce at the State Farmers Market at (334)272–8425.
More about this article:
This article was written as a creative project assignment for a journalism course, Media Writing II, at Auburn University at Montgomery in Spring 2018. The course was taught by Eman Shurbaji in collaboration with Exploring Montgomery’s founder, Cyle Conoly.
The project’s articles showcase many diverse buildings and their history in Montgomery.
- A bit of worship history at Old Ship African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church by Jayla Coleman
- The State Farmers Market by Cierra Juett explores a popular — and largely healthy — shopping destination
- Community love for the performing arts is seen at Cloverdale Playhouse by Brittany Vallely
- In depth coverage of the beloved Alabama Shakespeare Festival by Kodi Robertson and a short article by Brittany Nobles
- Photos capture great heights at AUM in Ida Belle Young Library Tower by Kaleria Jackson
- More coverage (with Curtiss the Warhawk!) of the Ida Belle Young Library Tower by Selina Johnson
- Tourist attraction F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum is examined in light of the home by Kywanna Johnson and the writing ventures by Mike Breen
- Free and growing Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is covered in light of its official website by Nyla Hooks
- Iconic Civil Rights moments are revisited at the Rosa Parks Museum by Brandon Barker
- A closer look at downtown entertainment landmark Davis Theatre by Alexandrea Moore
- Independent films and a deep roots are explored at Capri Theatre by Destin Davis
- State-of-the-art sports venue Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Stadium is visited by Dana Horton
