By SANDRA THAMES / Special to the Reporter

ALABASTER – Saturday, Aug. 16, marked the end of the Alabasters Farmers’ Market season. This eagerly anticipated growing and selling season began this year on the second Saturday of June.

This year there was a 10-week “market.” Red tomatoes, yellow and green tomatoes, peaches, zucchini, corn, cucumbers, squash, peas, hot peppers, eggplant and watermelon (both red and yellow) were some of the market offerings.

Lynn Coleman, founder of Sowers of Seed might be seen pulling her grandchildren through the tented market giving a friendly hello and welcome to everyone. Several musical groups performed at the market at various times (Community Baptist, The Comptons, Intermission and Over the Mountain just to name a few). Their music can be heard all across the former site of the old Siluria Mill – a great way to spend an early Saturday morning and get some of the finest produce around.

This year, the “market” had not only fresh fruits and vegetables but other items such as candle scents, delicious homemade and beautifully displayed sweet goodies, cookbooks, pork and lamb products and processed chicken.

All summer, 10 to 12 vendors have been regulars at the market. The city of Alabaster provides the tents, tables and chairs and provides marketing for the event. Many behind the scene requirements and expenses such as a city business license, food, delivery, knowledge of food groups, health department safety and rating are all necessary.

Starting several years ago, Sowers of Seed has been steadily increasing its outreach program to provide summer lunches for out of school children who might not be able to get that meal otherwise. The Buck Creek Concession Stand is the work site where more than 3,200 lunches were distributed this summer….many in Peavine Trailer Park and Brantlyville. “Camp I Want to Know” provides nutritional and Bible-based lessons for the recipients.

So as we bid farewell to another summer season of yummy vegetables and products and eagerly look forward to the return of the market next year, lets not forget to thank Lynn Coleman for another great program.