Local Markets: Piedmont Park Green Market

Started by the Piedmont Park Conservancy and managed by Holly Hollingsworth, previously a farmer in North Georgia, the Piedmont Park Green Market offers Midtown residents and park visitors a wide variety of organic and naturally grown/homemade breads, artisan cheeses, jams, produce and flowers.

The market has grown considerably since its debut with just a handful of vendors five years ago to more than 30 now. According to Hollingsworth, the market provides a "great atmosphere" with live music and chef demonstrations. It also provides a place for local residents to purchase locally grown food and support local farmers. "It’s my goal that everyone has a farmers’ market that they can walk to," she said.

Hollingsworth and the Piedmont Park Summer Camp staff teamed up to create the Enviroventures program this year, offering campers the opportunity to plant, maintain, and pick their own produce to sell at the market. While the campers do not help sell the food, given the time of the market (Saturday mornings), they participate in every step of the process up to that point.

According to Piedmont Park Conservancy Volunteer Manager Courtney Smith, the market is a popular volunteer opportunity. "The market offers an opportunity to interact with lots of people and answer questions. Every week we have two to three volunteers for the market," she said.

The Green Market is held every Saturday through Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is located along the 12th Street entrance to the park.

www.piedmontpark.org