FOLEY, Ala. – Coastal Alabama Farmers & Fishermens Market (CAFFM) will be having an informational meeting on Tuesday, August 6 at 4:00 p.m. Location will be at the Foley City Hall/Civic Center, 407 E Laurel Avenue.

All agencies for licensing and permits will be in attendance. Potential vendors can sign up for seasonal or reserve dates for Fall Market season. The date for the anticipated market's debut will be October 1, with regular hours running through the fall up to Thanksgiving. At that time, local produce and food availability will be reaccessed prior to establishment of 'winter' hours, according to city sources.

Market and licensing officials will answer any questions the public may have at the Aug. 6 meeting.

You can find full vendor information, market rules and regulations on the CAFFM page of the City of Foley website.

The City recently hired its CAFFM manager. She is Heather Pritchard, a horticulturist with a masters degree in agriculture. Pritchard most recently taught agriculture and managed a 40-acre university farm at Kentucky's Murray State University.  She said upon her hiring to manage the Foley market, "Foley is special and is growing in neat ways. I am excited to be a part of helping our community prosper and promote healthy foods."

The market's location is on County Road 20 adjacent to Wolf Bay Lodge. Construction of the facility's initial 7,500 square foot covered vendor building is underway. The structure will provide 30 stalls where visitors can shop for fresh seafood and locally-grown fruits, vegetables, preserves and canned goods.

City tourism chief LaDonna Hinesley said recent rainstorm interruptions may affect construction timetables, but that she expects the market's October 1st opening date to go off on time "regardless of any delay" in completion of the structure by that date.

Hinesley said a BP grant awarded to the city provided $313,000 in seed money to begin the CAFFM project. Ultimate plans are for a multi-acre city complex with adjoining park space and an expandable market space.