The Mableton Farmers Market will open June 7th and will run every Thursday, 8:30am until 12:30pm through August 23rd at the Mable House Complex, 5239 Floyd Road.  Along with a wide variety of tasty fresh-grown good-for-you produce grown by local small farmers, there will be fresh eggs from local hens, fresh-baked items, signature spices and salts, local honey, handmade soaps and handmade personal care items.  Cooking demonstrations will show visitors quick and easy ways to prepare “summertime” dishes using fresh produce the Market has to offer…and there will be free samples!  Cobb & Douglas Public Health will be at the Market again to promote healthy lifestyles programs for families.

The Market is looking especially for small farm producers to join up.  It’s not too late.  If you are interested in selling at the Market, check it out here.   All application submissions must be accompanied by a signed Hold Harmless agreement and copies of any licenses, registrations and certificates for your products as required by state and Cobb County statutes and regulations.  Scan and email or mail all necessary forms as indicated on the application forms.

The Market is a U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) retailer.  The Market welcomes SNAP customers to shop for eligible food items.  Along with that, MIC has renewed a partnership agreement with Wholesome Wave Georgia (WWG), a non-profit organization whose mission is to help increase access to nutritious food while supporting local small farmers.  This partnership enables SNAP customers to double their EBT card purchases of up to $100 per Market day ($50 SNAP plus a $50 partnership match).  If you do not have a SNAP EBT card and think you might be eligible, WWG offers assistance in applying.  For more information, visit the WWG website. If you are able, consider making a tax-deductible donation to this very worthy charitable organization.

The Mableton Farmers Market is made possible this season largely by a generous sponsorship donation from John Thornton Chevrolet in Lithia Springs.

The Cobb Schools Foundation recently recognized the Volunteer of the Year at all Cobb County Schools. These volunteers have dedicated countless hours to our students and our schools. Please join MIC in congratulating them and thanking them for their work for our children and community. Here are the Volunteers for the Year for Mableton area schools:

Bryant Elementary School – Leroy “Tre” Hutchins

Clay Elementary School – Laura Zhiss

Harmony Leland Elementary School – Ericka Santiago

Mableton Elementary School – Maryra Recinos

Riverside Intermediate School – Perry Paul

Riverside Primary School – Alondra Reyes

Floyd Middle School – Jennifer Smith

Lindley 6^th Grade Academy – Toni Russell

Pebblebrook High School – Mickie McDaniel

South Cobb High School – Felicia Dennis

Great news for the Buckner Road area – sidewalks on Buckner Road are coming! The Board of Commissioners recently approved funding for the project from the 2016 SPLOST funds. Sidewalks, curbs, gutters and drainage improvements will be constructed along Buckner Road from Veterans Memorial Highway to Kilrush Drive on the North/West side of the road and from Veterans Memorial Highway to Rosie Lane on the South/East side of the road. Engineering work will begin in the fall of 2018 and construction will start in the fall of 2019. Click here to see the plans.

The market will open June 7th and that is just around the corner.  Market days will be Thursdays, 8:30am til 12:30pm at the Mable House Complex, 5239 Floyd Road.  We’ll be doubling SNAP EBT transactions again this season.  If you are growing fresh produce and want to sell at the market, click here for more information.   All Market vendors must grow or produce what they sell. The 2018 Market is generously sponsored by John Thornton Chevrolet.

Mark your calendars for our Adopt-a-Mile cleanup Saturday, May 5th, starting promptly at 9:00am. We will meet in the Kroger Shopping Center parking lot area adjacent to the Autobell Car Wash on Floyd Road.

With your help, it takes only about an hour for MIC volunteers to pick up the accumulated trash and your help will be greatly appreciated.  Floyd Road will look a whole lot better when we are done. Wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring gloves if you like. We provide safety vests, latex gloves, trash bags, bottled water — and a cheerful welcome.

Participants must be at least 13 years of age and those under 18 must have a signed parental consent and release of liability.  We have the form if needed.

Please contact Jeff Padgett if you plan to participate or if you have any questions/concerns.  If we know you’re coming, we’ll keep you posted concerning rescheduling in case of inclement weather.