New hours coming for Atherton Market

The Atherton Market at Atherton Mills, near Tremont Avenue on South Boulevard, has turned into a thriving urban market with local food producers. The only trouble is trying to remember the darn hours: Is it Tuesday mornings/Wednesday afternoons? Wednesday mornings/Tuesday afternoons? And what time does it open on Saturdays?

Manager Lynn Caldwell has heard your cries for relief. Starting Aug. 7, the market will be open five days a week: That's 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Some of the vendors, such as Monk's Coffee, Cardais Gourmet and the Simply Local stand, which carries artisan food and dairy products from all over the state, will be there every day. Others may have things stored on site or will choose when to be there.

It's too soon what the busiest days will turn out to be. "At this juncture, we'd just like to see what the ebb and flow will be -- when people want to shop," says Caldwell. She's setting it up so she can expand hours if needed down the road. And these hours will continue through the winter.

If you haven't been by, stop in and see what's happening. You have more chances to do that now.

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.