Every Southerner knows collards and its kin are the official vegetable of a proper and propitious New Year’s Day meal. Alabama farmers grow some mean greens, but if you want to serve them to start 2025, you might need to think ahead.
The state’s last two seasonal pop-up farmers markets that remain open, Pepper Place and Birdsong in Birmingham, start their annual hiatus on December 14 and December 21, respectively.
Most Alabama farmers markets only open in the summer and fall months when the bulk of Alabama’s fruits and vegetables grow. A few crank up earlier, starting when the first spring strawberries arrive.
But local farmers who grow winter crops have limited outlets to sell them beyond restaurants and direct sources like community-supported agriculture (CSA) baskets.
And it’s good eating. In December and January, Alabama-grown satsumas, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower—white, yellow, and purple—are abundant. Homegrown greens including kale and cabbage are ready for harvest.
Finding them is the challenge.
The state has a handful of year-round farmers markets, and some groceries like Piggly Wiggly seek out products made and grown in Alabama. Birdsong, on Fifth Avenue South, reopens on January 11. Pepper Place off Second Avenue South returns on January 25. The Market at Brock’s Gap pop-up Saturday market in West Hoover follows in mid-February.
Brock’s Gap, which ended its weekly market season in late November, is experimenting during this year’s downtime by facilitating sales with regular vendors. People place their orders directly with participating farms or producers for pickup on the first and third Saturdays of the month at the market’s usual location outside Brock’s Gap Brewery. So far, The Little Bakery, CEH Farms (pastured pork), Youngblood Ranch (wagyu beef), and T’s Tasty Treats have signed up. The market will post additional vendors on its social media.
If you’re still on the hunt for Alabama-grown greens to ring in 2025, here are five Alabama farmers markets open this time of year and a couple of additional places to check.
Situated on 49 acres in North Birmingham, this location was opened by the Jefferson County Truck Growers Association in 1956. More than 2,000 farmers will set up there at some point over the course of a year. Open 365 days, this is a common stop for chefs and savvy cooks.
Location: 344 Finley Avenue West
Hours: 6 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
The year-round market was established in 1927 and has resided at its current spot since 1947. Up to 30 vendors offer vegetables, fruit, meat, preserved foods, condiments, baked goods, plants, and craft goods.
Location: 1004 Madison Avenue
Hours: 5 a.m.-2 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
The year-round market located beside the Black Warrior River features some 70 vendors, including area farmers who supply some of the top restaurants in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. In addition to Alabama-grown produce and meats, shoppers will find bakers, artisans, and other Alabama-made goods.
Location: 1900 Jack Warner Parkway
Hours: 7 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday
Coastal Alabama Farmers & Fishermens Market
Find vegetables and fruit grown in Baldwin County, local organically-raised beef, and Gulf seafood at the year-round market in Foley. Food vendors also come to the covered facility.
Location: 781 Farmers Market Lane
Hours: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday
The owners of this family-owned market in Opelika (the original is in LaGrange, Georgia) buy directly from farms and state markets in the Southeast. Parkway Farmers Market also sells prepared foods like jams and jellies, local honey, and grocery items like eggs, bread, and cheeses.
Location: 2180 First Avenue
Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
Dedicated to supporting local small businesses, the market in Birmingham’s Avondale neighborhood sells produce and goodies from Ireland Farms and Mattie’s Garden, Magic City Mushrooms, Bandit Patisserie, and others. Its herbs, fruit, veggies, eggs, and gourmet food ingredients also can be ordered online. Meal kit subscriptions for one or two are available for pickup on Fridays after noon. Delivery is available.
Location: 131 41st Street South
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. from Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m on Saturday; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday
Hayley and Will DeShazo work directly with Alabama farmers, providing the same produce, meats, and other food you’ll find at a local farmers market. Order online between Sunday at 2 p.m. and Wednesday at 5 p.m. Delivery in multi-use insulated tote bags is the following Saturday morning.
The service is only available in 12 Birmingham-area ZIP codes.
