April 21, 2003
Moultrie - For the first time in weeks, Al Kersuy fells secure about his business. "I'm just tickled," said Kersey.
He just moved his lawn, garden, and produce stand to Moultrie's state farmers' market a little over a month ago. But a proposal to close many of Georgia's state farmers' markets could have devastated his business. "I don't know why they would have even considered it," said Kersuy. "Especially with us having an ag expo here, this market is a showcase spot for Moultrie."
Kersuy isn't the only one who would have been effected by the market closings. Over 100 people would have lost their jobs. Like George Gillespie, who operates Valley Shores Produce. "It's just a big burden off our shoulders," said Gillespie. "We would have had to start all over at a new location, and it would've really been hard for us."
Valley Shores ships out 500,000 boxes of cabbage each year. Gillespie says shutting down such a thriving business would've been a huge mistake. "If their trying to save the state money, this is not the way to do it," said Gillespie.
Long time customers agree. "I buy all kinds of produce here for restaurants and grocery stores and if this place closed, I don't know what I would've done," said Herbert Harris, Customer. "I definitely wouldn't want to go to Atlanta and Cordele isn't convenient either."
Both employees and customers say shutting down this market would have been a big blow to South Georgia's agriculture.
posted at 3:15 by ashley.harper@walb.com
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