FOLEY, Ala. — The spring season of the Coastal Alabama Farmers & Fishermen’s Market kicks off March 25.

During the season, operating hours will be 2-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. each Saturday.

Market Manager Heather Pritchard announced the new hours during the spring sign up for vendors on March 20 at Foley City Hall.

She also thanked the vendors for the success of the market in its almost six months of existence.

“I think we’ve done a great job,” Pritchard told the vendors, “and it’s all you.”

The meeting also included several state officials offering updates on regulation changes and advice for selling at farmers markets. They included James D. Miles of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Lester Lowery, unit manager of the Alabama Department of Agriculture; and Bill Kelly, supervisor of the Alabama Department of Public Health.

In addition, City of Foley Economic Director Jeff Rouzie announced that Foley had just won a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the market. He and Pritchard explained that the money will help purchase new tents that will add space for more vendors. Plus, it will help fund the next phase of construction, which will include additional parking and a second building.

Rouzie explained that the building will house retail shops designed to complement the market’s concept.

“We’ve got Moe’s Barbecue onboard,” Rouzie said, adding additional shops such as a bakery could be coming soon.

The city’s economic development director explained the reason for the added construction.

“We’ve got plans to continue to develop this,” Rouzie said.

He told attendees that the development includes the addition of Gulf Coast Produce Distributors of Alabama, which is planning to locate in the old Peavy building and open its doors at the end of May.

“These folks are boutique distributors,” Rouzie said, explaining that the venture will enable local growers and producers to package and sell their goods in larger retail markets.

Rouzie told attendees that he had been concerned about the winter season of the market, which opened in October.

“But I counted 18 different (states') license plates out there one Saturday,” he said.

Rouzie added that the market’s location makes it a prime spot between Tanger Outlets and the coming Blue Collar Country.

“We sit right in the middle of all of this,” he said. “Eventually, we’ll have a tram service that runs from Tanger to Blue Collar, and it’ll go right through the market.”

For more information or a vendor schedule, visit CoastalAlabamaMarket.com.