Mount Olive needs a farmer’s market in the downtown area, and in these difficult times it would be a great service to citizens.
Efforts are underway by town-elected officials to do just that, and the town-owned lot at the corner of South Center and Pollock streets is the ideal location. It always has been.
It is the least costly and most realistic of locations.
Town Commissioner Barbara Kornegay has been the mover and shaker in this effort, and always does a great job in her projects.
Perhaps she has new information on where the project is at this time.
Meanwhile, the Mount Olive Presbyterian Church has just announced it will have a farmer’s market again this summer, and it will be held every Saturday through the end of August.
The church’s membership obviously sees the need.
Activity in the downtown area has certainly increased recently for the business community, and the operation of a farmer’s market hits another gear.
It is like everything else — it needs money.
Local officials are and have been knocking on doors seeking funding for a farmer’s market.
They are looking at all sources.
A market here needs to be top of the line. It will require adequate parking, a sheltered facility, security and refrigeration.
This certainly is not any attempt at all to take anything away from the church’s market because it is a tremendous service to residents.
But, it is a service that can now be provided by the town and with justification.
The efforts continue to revitalize the downtown district, but a farmer’s market is missing.
It may not be a big money-making venture, but it will work for vendors and will let residents know the town does care about them.
Maintenance and utilities would be the only town expense once the project got off the ground.
It does not have to be just a seasonal market because there is also local produce for both Thanksgiving and Christmas periods.
Remember apples, oranges, tangerines, mistletoe, nuts and candy are also seasonal, and could easily meet local needs.
It is easy to visualize a busy local downtown market during the seasons. It has been there before.
If you see your town board members anywhere ask them where they are with the effort and tell them it needs to be done.
William Holloman is a staff writer for the Mount Olive Tribune. He can be reached at wnh9326@gmail.com.
