The McKinney Family

  The Outer Ring. Market was originally started in 2023 by the McKinney family (Mark & Britt) with a heartfelt vision for being able to have a lasting impact on the community through great products and thoughtful service and fellowship.  

We (Cam and Jess) were in the process of opening up something similar with additions in the Evans area when we called Mark & Britt and asked if they'd ever be open to selling their market ... even if years down the road.  Mark shared that he and Britt had each written in their prayer journals, including the day we called, 'If we are ever supposed to sell this market or if anyone is supposed to carry it forward then put them in our path' - and that is where we started ... prayerful on both sides.  And in April of 2026 ... those prayers were answered ... 'legally' :)!

Our journey into the world of food and nutrition didn’t begin as a business idea. It began with a health crisis. Several years ago, while serving on the mission field in Peru, Cameron became seriously ill.  After many visits to doctors and hospitals, he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. The

recommended treatment plan included major bowel surgery and a lifetime dependence on steroid medications. For our young family living overseas with three small children, it was overwhelming.  Because Cameron’s immune system had become so compromised, we were forced to leave the mission field and return home to the United States.

Determined to explore every option, we began researching the connection between food and health. What started as small dietary changes quickly became a complete lifestyle shift. Over time, through intentional changes in diet and nutrition, Cameron’s condition improved dramatically. Eventually, he was able to avoid surgery and eliminate the need for medication altogether.

That experience changed our lives. It gave us a deep appreciation for how powerful clean, intentional food can be — not just for survival, but for thriving. Out of that journey, Vine & Branches Farm was born. Since 2019 we have been growing microgreens and specialty produce in Lincolnton, Georgia and delivering them to restaurants throughout the Augusta area. Today we supply around sixteen restaurants including Able Brown, Frog Hollow, Cadwalladers, Manuels Bread Cafe, Cucina, Lincolnton Coffee Cottage and many more.

Through that work we’ve developed a deep appreciation for the farmers, producers, and food artisans across our region who are committed to producing high-quality food. And we’ve also seen something else clearly. People are hungry for better food. Families want access to clean ingredients they can trust. They want food that fuels their bodies, supports their health, and comes from people who care about how it’s produced.

That’s why we are so excited to step into the next chapter of The Outer Ring Market. Mark and Britt have built something truly special in Lincolnton — a place where people feel welcome, where quality matters, and where relationships are just as important as the products on the shelves.

Our vision is to build on that foundation.

We want to take what has already been created and expand it even further by bringing in more clean, high-quality foods, supporting local farmers and producers, and continuing to make The Outer Ring Market a place where the community can find food they trust. We believe the market can continue to grow as a hub for healthy, thoughtfully sourced foods — from premium meats and seafood to locally grown produce, clean pantry items, and nutrient- dense ingredients that support wellness.

But more than anything, we want it to remain what it already is:

A place where people gather.

A place where relationships are built.

And a place where the community feels served.

We are incredibly grateful to Mark and Britt for the trust they’ve placed in us. They have built an incredible reputation and left big shoes to fill. We hope to carry on their legacy by serving the community with the same heart and dedication they have so faithfully demonstrated.

We’re excited about what’s ahead — and we can’t wait to serve this community.

— Cameron & Jessica Harris