MORGAN COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — The Morgan County/Decatur Farmers Market took to social media to clear up some concerns about its operating hours.
On Saturday, the MC/DF Market released a public notice following social media concerns about its operating hours.
In the release, it says the market hours are from 8 a.m. to noon, every market day for the season. The market is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, according to the MC/DF Market website.
The MC/DF Market team said that these hours were set at the beginning of the season following input from vendors saying that they did not want an earlier opening time.
“The current schedule gives everyone—especially those who don’t have the luxury of parking directly at their booth—the time and space to safely unload, set up, and prepare for a successful day,” the post says.
While the market doesn’t officially open until 8 a.m., MC/DF Market said it does allow vendors to begin selling as early as 7:30 a.m. as a “professional courtesy” observed by other markets in the region. The market team said it feels like 7:30 a.m. is a good balance because “it gives early risers a chance to shop while still allowing vendors time to set up.”
“Recently, there’s been a bit of misinformation circulating about our start time. So let us be clear: our hours have not changed, and we’ve been consistent from the very beginning of the season. We’re always happy to revisit policies if needed, but we also want to be sure we’re operating from a place of shared understanding and mutual respect,” the market team said.
This statement from the MC/DF Market was released following an online comment from Champion Farms, a vendor at the market. You can read the farm’s post below:
“There’s been a constant struggle between us and the manager/board with what time we are allowed to sell our goods. They started with 7am, then moved it to 7:30AM, now, they want to enforce 8AM…and keep in mind, this is being changed up within a matter of weeks with no say so from any vendors or customers.
I’ve explained to them that Decatur is a town located next to the Tennessee River, which is home to numerous factories, healthcare facilities, and others who employ 3rd shift workers. For greater than 30 years, those citizens have been able to come before or after their 12hr shift “around 6:30-7AM” to buy their goods and go home to rest. Now, the board expects them to wait until 8AM.
We understand rules and how they change…but all of the sudden mid season? Do the customers and vendors not have a say in this matter?
We shouldn’t even have to fight about this, but once again, here we are with an issue with the Decatur Farmers Market board of directors and the regulations they’ve imposed upon us. Please speak up if this issue affects you!”
Champion Farms, Facebook
The market then responded to the farm’s comment, saying that the 8 a.m. start time is done for logistical reasons.
“During the hours of 6:30-7:30, we have several vendors trying to unload and moving vehicles. We have ran into several issues with customers parking in vendors spots, causing a delay in their set up time. We allow them to sell 30 minutes early, like nearly every other market in the region, as a courtesy,” the market said.
News 19 has reached out to MC/DF Market and Champion Farms for further comments on this situation.
The post Morgan County/Decatur Farmers Market releases statement over start-time concerns appeared first on WHNT.
