April 11, 2015 will kick off our 15th year!
The Pepper Place Saturday Market was established in 2000 in response to a growing need to help small family farms, and provide a connection between these family farmers and the people of Birmingham, Alabama.
From our beginning with a few tents in the center parking lot of Pepper Place, we have now grown to about 100 tents spread across parking lots and streets around Pepper Place. Our attendance also has grown at times to over 8,000 people at the height of the season. Originally running from mid May until early October, our market now begins in mid April and ends in mid December.
All of our vendors are local, from a rough geographic range of about 100 miles. All of the farmers who sell to you at the Market are the actual growers, their family members and friends. Ofttimes we will see 3 generations working the market together; evidence that our farmers markets are making a difference in the viability of small Alabama family farms.
The Market expands and contracts with the seasons, ranging from wonderful bedding plants, herbs, lettuces and strawberries in the spring to the summer’s incredible blackberries, blueberries, peaches, sweet corn and a wonderful array of heirloom and hybrid tomatoes. As we progress into fall, we see a variety of squashes, sweet potatoes, greens, pumpkins and wonderful greenery to decorate for the holidays. We also have cheeses, eggs, meats, honey, breads, pastries and sausages from an array of vendors
We have great bakers and cooks who serve food to eat, and to take home, from breakfast burritos, sausages to pimento cheese and barbecue, just to name a few.
All through the years we have wonderful artists, artisans and craftspeople who can help decorate your home with their creations…and provide great gifts.
