Article submitted by Darla Huffman: Strawberries were the hit of the day at the Jasper Farmers Market. Jennifer Futch, from R & A Orchards, was selling the berries, assisted by two of her children, Jacob and Anna, who were busily filling baskets to replace the ones that were rapidly disappearing from the table. These were big, ripe, sweet berries grown locally in Ellijay on property that has been in the family since the orchard was started in 1947 by Jennifer’s grandparents-in-law Leonard and Della Payne. And the best news is Jennifer expects to be back next week with more strawberries.

The true benefit of buying locally grown produce is not just some ecological good deed. Other attributes include; it may have greater nutritional value, it may be grown with less chemical fertilizers and insecticides and it may be supporting a family instead of a corporation. But the best thing about all freshly picked fruits and vegetables is that they taste so much better. If a fruit or vegetable has to be picked before it is ripe in order to get it processed, shipped and put in the store there is no way it is going to have the true delicious flavor of fresh picked.

There were several new vendors at the market; one craftsman had beautiful handmade furniture. James Wright and his wife, Andrea, were showing two large pieces that had shelves above and cabinet doors below suitable for a variety of uses. There were also some smaller pieces and he expressed an interested in custom woodwork including kitchen cabinets. If you have a place in your home that needs a special piece of furniture that you have never been able to find he can create it for you. Come to the market and see what other unique item you can find that will add to the enjoyment of your home or yard.

The “Taste of the Market” event that was scheduled for next Saturday, May 16, has been postponed and the new date will be announce in next weeks article.

The Jasper Farmers Market Spring and Summer Season takes place every Saturday morning (April through October) and Wednesday morning (June through August) from 7:30 am to 12 noon in the Park n Ride lot at Lee Newton Park on Hwy 53 in Jasper, with the exception of the July 4 and Marble Festival activities and is a project of the Pickens County Master Gardeners. For more information call the County Extension Office at 706 253 8840.