Family’s market offers freshness in store
Published 7:26 pm Friday, January 17, 2020
- Our Community Farmers Market in Boykins is operated by Shelton Muhammad, far right, and his family. With him from right to left are his wife, Andriene, sons, Talib and Yusuf, and in-laws, Evelyn and Richard Roscoe. -- Stephen H. Cowles Tidewater News
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Bessie Hill looks over some fresh apples for sale in the store. Hill said she comes in once a week to shop. — Stephen H. Cowles Tidewater News
Shelton Muhammad offers quality produce in Boykins
BOYKINS
Our Community Farmers Market in downtown Boykins is a family-owned and operated business dedicated to providing its customers with the desirable farm-fresh quality in produce, meats or any other edibles.
Before Shelton Muhammad and his family opened their store on Oct. 19, they first got their own experiences that would inspire and teach them about such a venture.
“We were blessed to get a farm in Branchville,” said Muhammad, who added that that was the impetus for the future project. “We came up with a plan, though it took a while to get it going. Managing chickens we had to learn.”
Richard Roscoe, his father-in-law, was most helpful with the interior construction, which includes bins for apples, bananas, cabbage, etc.
The goals of establishing the market are: to help reduce customers’ lengthy drives to buy groceries; help the community; and, of course, provide organic and healthy foods.
“We are working to establish a year-round business,” said Muhammad. “Our kitchen is certified, so we can make zucchini bread, pumpkin bread, etc., and soups such as bean and cream of broccoli, and bean and squash pies.”
Talib Muhammad gets to make and sell popcorn and other treats from a corner table. — Stephen H. Cowles Tidewater News
Both his wife, Adriene, and mother-in-law, Evelyn Roscoe, are the bakers and cooks of these offerings. Fresh fish — which can include spot, trout and whiting — as well as chicken, rabbit and speciality meats — will become future store offerings. Adriene is also taking classes that will certify her to can foods properly.
His sons, Yusuf and Talib Muhammad are also helping in the store; the latter, for example, is a young entrepreneur who makes fresh popcorn and sells it along with other treats.
Muhammad said he will do all he can to get keep prices affordable. He added that for customers on a budget, the store has just become Electronic Benefits Transfer-approved.
The market is located at 32143 S. Main St., which is on the corner with Virginia Avenue in downtown Boykins. The store is open 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed on Sunday. Call 556-2381 for more information.
