Really big news for Atherton Market

It seems like new things are happening every week at the Atherton Market in SouthEnd. With manager Lynn Shanklin Caldwell's energy, something is always in the works.

But this one makes me really, really happy to announce: Starting Tuesday (yes, that's today), the Atherton Market has EBT readers, allowing people with government-issued food benefits (AKA food stamps) to shop at the market.

Maybe that doesn't sound like a big deal, but trust me -- it is. I've reported a lot over the years on food access and food regulation. To get this one, a market has to navigate all the mazes of the USDA, it has to have electricity and infrastructure, and it has to have vendors who agree to work with the program.

But when it comes to solving the issue of food deserts - neighborhoods with little or no access to affordable, fresh, healthful food - having small markets with EBT access is important.

"It was a year and a half in the works," Caldwell said Tuesday when I called to congratulate her on her tenacity. "It took a year and a half for the stars to align." With the Atherton Market's urban location, close to at least two low-income housing developments, it has the potential to get fresh, locally grown food in the hands of people who really need it. As far as I know, the Atherton Market and the Davidson Farmers Market are the only local farmers markets that have the EBT program.

In the meantime, Caldwell is charging ahead with other things at Atherton. In addition to several new stores, including the Spice Market and Simply Local (which now carries low-heat pasteurized milk from Homeland Creamery, btw), they're finishing construction on an expansion and getting ready to announce expanded hours. The market, 2104 South Blvd., is currently open 3-7 p.m. Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.

To keep up with all the new stuff happening over there, friend the market on Facebook. And if you see Lynn Caldwell, tell her she did good.