Fresh, local produce to-go at Macon Centerplex

November 6, 2020

Peyton Lewis,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Fresh produce for communities in Georgia and money for local farmers, create a win-win situation. According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, they hope a new series of events will reach this goal.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Georgia Grown program, partnered with local organizations to create a drive-thru farmers market in Macon.

Macon Centerplex opened its parking lots for the “Georgia Grown To-Go” event. It allows the distribution of fresh produce from around the state in Middle Georgia.

Shopper Bruce Joiner says he doesn’t usually know where his produce comes from, but he’s happy to support local farms when he can.

“I generally buy mine from the grocery store but… this brought fresh local produce to the area so I thought it’s a perfect opportunity to come to pick some up.”

Georgia Grown marketing specialist Happy Wyatt says the Department of Agriculture wants to make sure Georgians eat right.

“Nutrition equals good health,” Wyatt said. “We want everyone to have good health right now, I mean we’re going into flu season as well so it’s important to get this good nutrition out there at a reasonable cost.”

State representative Kasey Carpenter says the mobile market will benefit farmers who took a hit at the beginning of the pandemic.

“There’s a tremendous amount of supply chain issues with restaurants right now,” Carpenter said. “I’m in the restaurant business, and I saw a lot of produce grown for restaurants that unfortunately no one needed. We have to find a way to bridge that gap and that’s what this event has done.”