The Milly Market returned on April 3, after a brief hiatus, and the community has responded positively by showing up for the local merchants who sold a variety of products ranging from Goat milk soap to home-grown mushrooms.

The market serves as a meeting place for the community and an opportunity for local farmers to sell their products to a variety of students and Milledgeville locals alike.

The market is organized by Debbie Waugh and happens every first and third Friday of every month from 4 to 7 p.m., planned all the way to October. With prices ranging from a blackberry turnover of $4 to pure vanilla extract or candles for $25, there is something for everybody to buy.

“It’s super important to have these community events because it’s fun, and it’s a great way for local vendors to get out and show off their goods,” said Alexis Overton, a junior environmental science major.

Milly Market also matches The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), benefits dollar for dollar. Even though the market is accommodating to people with less money to spend, the patrons selling at the market don’t try to compete with stores.

“We don’t try to compete with Walmart, because sometimes their prices might be a little bit lower, but they don’t have farm fresh eggs,” said Elliot Perkins, who works with his wife, Andria, at Unity Grove Farms.

Stall owners and shoppers alike value the affordability and accessibility of fresh fruits and vegetables that are organic and without any pesticides. By making the produce more affordable, it means people are more likely to buy more products and eat healthier.

“The easier you are able to get something the more likely you are to use it,” said Overton. “The more likely you are to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, the healthier you can be because you are eating better.”

Perkins and many others at the market run their business with their family, like Alan Carr, who works with his wife to make soap made from goats’ milk at Bone Creek Farm, or Lisa Vaughn, who works with her husband at Ellis Mill.

The market is also changing and improving as time goes on, and more people hear about the event. This year, Waugh introduced live music to the market, and stores move in and out depending on the season and who is available.

Community is built at Milly Market by the people who show up, who shop locally, interact with the shopkeepers and spread the word to other people about the market to other people.

“Just meet new people, let them know about what we are having, come down and get to know everyone here,” Vaughn said.

There was also a chance to win free gifts if visitors completed a treasure hunt of what was sold, encouraging people to talk to all the vendors and see what was being sold at the market.

Milly Market is a welcome space where locals love to talk to each other and share their stories. Human connections can be a major feature for some individuals who participate.

“I like interacting with the people as they come through,” Perkins said. “The interaction between the community and ourselves is my favorite part.”

Fresh produce, refreshing drinks, live music, vitamin D and a welcoming community: all the things that make the Milly Market the place it is. If students need a space to relax at the end of the month, restock on fresh produce or a chance to interact with the community, the Milly Market is for them.

“Show up,” said Overton. “Go to community events, be a villager and spend some money. The easiest way to do it [build community] is to contribute.”