just great to be a part of Earth ’ s Bounty .”
Each market spot costs $ 25 , and the vendor is responsible for bringing a tent , tables and chairs . All vendors have to be pre-approved before they are eligible to participate . Almost all live within a 200- mile radius of Meridian .
Earth ’ s Bounty did see a decline in vendors when it began preventing them from buying wholesale produce in neighboring states and reselling it to shoppers because it gave those vendors an unfair advantage over local farmers , Wilkes said .
“ That is why we don ’ t have as many vendors , but the vendors we have are doing it the right way ,” he said . “ We don ’ t allow people to buy and resale produce . They have to grow it , and we do a farm inspection too .”
The Kidds , a farm family from Pachuta , have been coming to Earth ’ s Bounty for years . They bring a wide range of vegetables , depending on the season , including potatoes , cucumbers , tomatoes , corn , squash , broccoli , cabbage , turnips and more .
“ It is a good place to sell stuff ,” said Randy Kidd , who was at Earth ’ s Bounty the first of June with his dad , Bobby Kidd , his brother , Mark Kidd , and nephew , Will Kidd . They were busy with customers lined up at their booth waiting to fill bags with fresh , homegrown veggies .
For years , the Kidd family has sold produce from the bed of a truck downtown , but business really picked up once the city put an outdoor market together under the name Earth ’ s Bounty , said Randy Kidd .
Said Wilkes , “ We are trying to bring in fresh , local products for our community . It really is important to support local businesses . It ’ s really important to support local food systems . Not everything needs to come off a truck from Mexico .”
Earth ’ s Bounty will offer four more markets this year on the first Saturday of August , September , October and November . M
Neil Clements , above photo , displays his carved wooden bowls .
Kathy Rickles offers goat milk , soap , lotion and chese . www . meridianstar . com
• 15