Winder Business Helps Residents Shop Locally for Produce

Seventy-five percent of the fruits and vegetables sold at The Produce Basket are locally grown, Robert Martindell said. And if it's not grown locally, it comes from a farmers market near Atlanta. 

The Produce Basket, which has been open in downtown Winder for just more than a month now, sells fruits and vegetables straight from local growers whenever it can. 

Martindell, a Winder resident, worked in the produce department of a major grocery store for nine years before starting his own business. 

"I just had an idea that I ran with, hoping it would take off," he said. 

Since opening, Martindell has started serving up freshly-made smoothies — flavors change daily, from strawberry banana to peach. 

Martindell said his betsellers are tomatoes, mangos and squash, and apple season is just about to start in September. Customers can then expect butternut squash, acorn squash, pumpkins and sweet potatoes in October. 

The Produce Basket is on North Jackson Street and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.