lifestyle
Columbus Farmers and Vendors Connect Residents to Fresh Local Food
Farmers, vendors and programs link residents to produce and meals across the city.
How we reported this

MercyMed Farm in Columbus runs a Friday market from 9 to 11 a.m. through the end of July with tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers grown on site.
MercyMed Farm Market
Staff and growers at MercyMed Farm prepare the weekly stand to share seasonal vegetables directly with shoppers. The regular hours give residents a steady point of contact with the people who plant and harvest the produce.
Elijah’s Farm and The Food Mill
Elijah’s Farm, established in 2016 as the city’s first urban farm, grows sweet potatoes, eggplant and turnips that reach customers through sales at The Food Mill on 2nd Avenue. Proceeds from those sales go back into keeping the farm running, showing the direct tie between the growers and the upkeep of their fields.
Food Mill Food Farmacy Programs
The Food Mill Food Farmacy broadened its work in August 2020 to address food insecurity by starting a mobile market that reached more than 10,000 people and by setting up SNAP incentive programs for fresh produce. These steps connect the farm’s output to a wider group of residents through practical distribution and support.
Recent Festival and Local Restaurant
The Taste of Summer Food Truck Festival on July 12 at 1204 First Ave brought together more than 20 local vendor trucks, including Bennett’s Smoke House, Vego Taco and Lobster Dogs. Animal Farm restaurant continues to feature ingredients from local suppliers in its burgers and other dishes, keeping the chain from field to plate visible to diners.
Residents can visit the MercyMed Friday market or The Food Mill on 2nd Avenue to meet the growers and see the produce firsthand. Checking the listed sources provides current details on times and offerings.
Sources Include (But not Limited to)
https://visitcolumbusga.com/dine/
https://www.thecolumbusite.net/post/top-six-local-farms
https://visitcolumbusga.com/my/dine
https://roadfood.com/places/georgia/columbus/
https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/living/food-drink/article309875115.html