Rivers can boost a city's economy by enabling trade. Tuscaloosa is no different. On any given visit to the Black Warrior River, you might see a barge pushing coal down the river.
The Riverwalk provides several opportunities for commerce. Another Broken Egg Cafe is a great location for unique breakfast and lunch options[1]. The same building contains boutiques and salons with condominiums above them. Entertainment venues, including the River Market and the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, are located along the Riverwalk.
The Tuscaloosa River Market brings people together in a gorgeous venue with the added benefit of overlooking the Black Warrior River. The farmer’s market is open every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and seasonally on Tuesdays[2]. I have been to the market several times while living in Tuscaloosa. My most recent visit was with my best friend Savannah.
Before walking into the building, we purchased tea from a ‘food’ truck called Tea Town Alabama[3]. The name of the business plays on the city’s nickname, T-Town. The truck is actually a refurbished trailer, whose doors have chalkboards attached to act as the menu. From a list of ten, I decided on the Happy Tummy, a spearmint-based hot tea with sage and rosemary. My friend, Savannah, wanted an iced tea but the man told us he only had hot tea this Saturday. They were anticipating colder temperatures but the sun had begun to heat up the market.
Inside the building, two rows of vendors led up to a stage. Behind each vendor, roll-up doors allowed them to back up their vehicles and arrange their tables. We started at one end and made our way down one side and then the other. On stage, a man played a keyboard, singing “Feelin’ Good” while customers shopped for local produce, meats and various goods. Vegetables are a staple for a farmer’s market and the Tuscaloosa River Market is no different. Bright red tomatoes are popular; their scratched and dented counterparts sold at a discounted price. I was surprised to also see a small box full of radishes and one with ginger for sale. A separate table sold citrus fruits as well as small citrus trees. A few cartons of fresh eggs sat open, proudly displaying their off-white shells. These colors contrasted the pure white shells found in the grocery store.
I enjoy being surprised by the variety of preserves that a farmer’s market may contain. That day, I saw my favorites, fig and pear, and also a combination of fig and strawberry. A short square jar of pepper jelly shone bright green when I held it into the light of the sun. I thought to myself that it was too pretty to eat and wanted to put it with a red and yellow preserve to create a jelly traffic light. Another table held a series of oddities. A sign that read apple cider donuts grabbed my attention first. Normally, I don’t care for apple cider but the newness of this product interested me. The owner told us she cooks down the cider to make it stronger and sweeter. Then she told me she was out of duck eggs. I was not expecting that. She didn’t go into specifics about the benefits of duck over chicken eggs, though I asked. Instead, she lamented at the fact that Americans are less eager to try new foods, despite their popularity in other countries, such as eating goat. Handing me a business card, she said she was only at the farmer’s market every other Saturday but I could call her to pick them up another time. A jar of pickled eggs caught my eye. Even though I wanted to try duck eggs, I was not that desperate.
One gentleman sells his pottery at the market. His products include bowls and tall mugs in many colors and sizes. Savannah asked him questions about his work, which he answered eagerly. Approachability is a crucial trait for most market vendors. Be them farmers, crafters or otherwise, these vendors understand the importance of comfortable communication between buyer and seller. Farmer’s markets are a place for personal business. The customer wants to know where their purchase originates from. The seller understands this and tries to sell himself as well as his product. The potter told us he began his art in 1961 and was a retired art teacher. He proudly told us about his calligraphy work and showed us two red wooden elephant puzzles that declared ‘Roll Tide’ written on their feet in careful lettering. He also makes back scratchers from the strong wood of palm trees that fall in his yard.
Our final stop was at a table that offers delicious desserts as well as savory frozen entrees such as lasagna and Brunswick stew. Bobbie Bailey and her husband have been doing this for three years since she retired from her government job. She used the money from her sick days to buy the van they use to transport their goods.
"I’ve had your caramel cake,” I said. “And the peach turnover. What’s the best thing you have today?”
She mentioned cookies so I grabbed the bag closest to me. The sticker on the bag said “PERFECT”.
“Those are the most popular,” she said.
“Can’t argue with that.”
The Tuscaloosa River Market supports local business as well as local culture. When I shop there, I am in a completely different mindset than if I were shopping at Publix or Winn-Dixie. I engage with my neighbors and learn about where my food is coming from. Most importantly, I know that my money is staying in Tuscaloosa County with a person who really needs it.
The Riverwalk provides several opportunities for commerce. Another Broken Egg Cafe is a great location for unique breakfast and lunch options[1]. The same building contains boutiques and salons with condominiums above them. Entertainment venues, including the River Market and the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, are located along the Riverwalk.
The Tuscaloosa River Market brings people together in a gorgeous venue with the added benefit of overlooking the Black Warrior River. The farmer’s market is open every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and seasonally on Tuesdays[2]. I have been to the market several times while living in Tuscaloosa. My most recent visit was with my best friend Savannah.
Before walking into the building, we purchased tea from a ‘food’ truck called Tea Town Alabama[3]. The name of the business plays on the city’s nickname, T-Town. The truck is actually a refurbished trailer, whose doors have chalkboards attached to act as the menu. From a list of ten, I decided on the Happy Tummy, a spearmint-based hot tea with sage and rosemary. My friend, Savannah, wanted an iced tea but the man told us he only had hot tea this Saturday. They were anticipating colder temperatures but the sun had begun to heat up the market.
Inside the building, two rows of vendors led up to a stage. Behind each vendor, roll-up doors allowed them to back up their vehicles and arrange their tables. We started at one end and made our way down one side and then the other. On stage, a man played a keyboard, singing “Feelin’ Good” while customers shopped for local produce, meats and various goods. Vegetables are a staple for a farmer’s market and the Tuscaloosa River Market is no different. Bright red tomatoes are popular; their scratched and dented counterparts sold at a discounted price. I was surprised to also see a small box full of radishes and one with ginger for sale. A separate table sold citrus fruits as well as small citrus trees. A few cartons of fresh eggs sat open, proudly displaying their off-white shells. These colors contrasted the pure white shells found in the grocery store.
I enjoy being surprised by the variety of preserves that a farmer’s market may contain. That day, I saw my favorites, fig and pear, and also a combination of fig and strawberry. A short square jar of pepper jelly shone bright green when I held it into the light of the sun. I thought to myself that it was too pretty to eat and wanted to put it with a red and yellow preserve to create a jelly traffic light. Another table held a series of oddities. A sign that read apple cider donuts grabbed my attention first. Normally, I don’t care for apple cider but the newness of this product interested me. The owner told us she cooks down the cider to make it stronger and sweeter. Then she told me she was out of duck eggs. I was not expecting that. She didn’t go into specifics about the benefits of duck over chicken eggs, though I asked. Instead, she lamented at the fact that Americans are less eager to try new foods, despite their popularity in other countries, such as eating goat. Handing me a business card, she said she was only at the farmer’s market every other Saturday but I could call her to pick them up another time. A jar of pickled eggs caught my eye. Even though I wanted to try duck eggs, I was not that desperate.
One gentleman sells his pottery at the market. His products include bowls and tall mugs in many colors and sizes. Savannah asked him questions about his work, which he answered eagerly. Approachability is a crucial trait for most market vendors. Be them farmers, crafters or otherwise, these vendors understand the importance of comfortable communication between buyer and seller. Farmer’s markets are a place for personal business. The customer wants to know where their purchase originates from. The seller understands this and tries to sell himself as well as his product. The potter told us he began his art in 1961 and was a retired art teacher. He proudly told us about his calligraphy work and showed us two red wooden elephant puzzles that declared ‘Roll Tide’ written on their feet in careful lettering. He also makes back scratchers from the strong wood of palm trees that fall in his yard.
Our final stop was at a table that offers delicious desserts as well as savory frozen entrees such as lasagna and Brunswick stew. Bobbie Bailey and her husband have been doing this for three years since she retired from her government job. She used the money from her sick days to buy the van they use to transport their goods.
"I’ve had your caramel cake,” I said. “And the peach turnover. What’s the best thing you have today?”
She mentioned cookies so I grabbed the bag closest to me. The sticker on the bag said “PERFECT”.
“Those are the most popular,” she said.
“Can’t argue with that.”
The Tuscaloosa River Market supports local business as well as local culture. When I shop there, I am in a completely different mindset than if I were shopping at Publix or Winn-Dixie. I engage with my neighbors and learn about where my food is coming from. Most importantly, I know that my money is staying in Tuscaloosa County with a person who really needs it.
All photos ©Ashton Varner unless otherwise specified.