Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

Bluffton Farmers Market

"It started with a conversation between two friends on how to support local farmers and benefit our community," remembered Ed McCullough. The Bluffton Farmers Market opened in May 2008 and ran through October 2008. Averaging 800 shoppers per week, attendance peaked at more than 1,200 on a late June day. "We were stunned at the success," said Diane Fornari. "People were starved for a farmers market." The market is a food market, carrying fresh seasonal produce from local farmers, plants, flowers, packaged foods and foods prepared at the market itself such as barbeque and gumbo. "It's really been an experience in coalition building with support from every corner of the community," said Ed. "Our goal is to make it bigger and better and including new growers and vendors." "The Community Foundation really has a pulse on the needs of the area and they respond," said Diane, "They are helpful and professional, very available. I don't know what we would do without them."