Meet Milledgeville’s Mater Man

Some look for the perfect mate, others for the perfect movie on a Friday night, but Warren Moore — he looks for the perfect tomato.

Plump, firm, bright red and juicy — The “Mater Man” knows what a good tomato should look and taste like.

A country tune envelops the strategically aligned tents and the aura of fresh baked bread and sugared delights wafts through the air. At the far end of the Milledgeville Farmer’s Market towers two University of Georgia tents. Nestled underneath, settled atop six tables and a cart is a wide range of produce including ripe zucchini, onions, peppers, garlic, lettuce and of course, tomatoes. That’s also where you’ll find Moore.

Moore specializes in tomatoes. He owns his own business, Market Street Produce, which purchases fruits and vegetables from farmers and sells them to Milledgeville restaurants and locals.

But, Moore’s niche did not come easily. In fact, it took a life-altering event. At age 42 he was diagnosed with a type of cancer rare in males — breast cancer.

“It scared the hell out of me. I thought, I’m not ready, this can’t happen to me,” Moore said.

After surgery and a two and a half year recovery period, the battle still wasn’t over. Again and again, Moore fought to win two more battles. And his fight continues.

“I’m at the danger zone; I’ve had indications that it may be back,” Moore said. “I’m taking medication. I guess we’re playing defense right now.”

According to the American Cancer Society, 1,970 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2010. That’s less than one percent of American males. Of those men diagnosed 390, or 19 percent, will die from the disease.

Moore is determined to not be another statistic. Being his own boss allows him to work, even when he’s having a “bad health day.”

“(Produce was) just something I just fell into,” Moore said. “I needed something to do while I was going through cancer.”

Produce has always been a part of Moore’s life. From his days as a convenience store owner to serving as general manager at Buffingtons, he has always surrounded himself with fruits and vegetables. It’s only fitting that it is now his vocation.

After graduating with three college degrees, Moore spent the “best years of his life” teaching in Macon. He now teaches locals the differences between types of legumes and what a ripe cantaloupe should smell like.

“I know you aren’t a teacher anymore, but you’re still teaching us,” Moore recalls one of his former Buffingtons employees saying.

His myriad of jobs has prepared him for his life today.

Twice a week Moore drives to Atlanta scouring produce from local farmers. He continues his search until he can find the perfect butter beans to buy.

“Warren sells good produce,” said Keturah Lee, Eatonton resident and fellow market vendor. “If you tell him something that’s not good, he’ll try to work with you. He tries to keep what everybody wants, if somebody asks for something, he tries to find it.”

One Tuesday, senior psychology major Evin Winkelman bought tomatoes and later discovered they were rotten. The next week Moore provided her fresh tomatoes free of charge.

“He said to me, ‘I always make things right,’” Winkelman said.

Walking up to his tent, sounds of “How are you,” “yes, ma’am,” “you’re welcome to pick what you’d like” and “thanks a lot” fill the air.

“Which squash look the best?” A college customer inquires as she approaches his spread. “I’m going to make shish kebabs.”

“Then the big ones,” Moore says.

He bounces down the table, confidently asking how everyone’s doing, if anyone needs any help or if they want to sample a tomato.

“That’ll be $24, and I threw in the jalapenos,” he tells the next couple.

He goes through the tomatoes making sure no bruised ones have escaped his careful eye.

He started his business with one table and a few boxes of tomatoes at Harmony Crossing close to Lake Oconee. To keep up with demand he continued adding new produce and expanded to employ six college students and offer more than 20 varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs.

GMC sophomore Cayla Ridley met Moore while working at Buffingtons and now helps at the market.

“He’s a hoot to work with,” Ridley said.

A Barnesville native and the Sno-Cone vendor at the market, Ricky Cato has been friends with Moore for almost 40 years.

“I delivered pork skins and boiled and roasted peanuts (to his convenience store), that’s how we met,” Cato said. “And we’ve been friends ever since. He’s like a brother to me.”

Friends and family play a large part in his life. He says his girlfriend, Judy Parks, is his biggest supporter.

“I really like that he takes pride in what he does and he is dedicated to his customers,” Parks said. “And that he lets us has fun. It’s really important to enjoy what you do and he makes sure we’re able to do that.”

Being diagnosed with cancer gave Moore the opportunity to find his true passion in life.

“I don’t want to wake up and be the same person every day in every aspect of my life,” Moore said.

Even while battling cancer, Moore still has a zeal for life.

“I’ve got three college degrees, and I’m the ‘Mater-Man’ but I’m a very happy guy,” Moore said. “That’s just something I’ve always loved.”