By: Bob Pest
Local farmers markets are more important than ever. While Americans battle with obesity, high cholesterol, and soaring prices for processed and packaged foods, farmers markets offer fresh produce, often harvested the same day it is available for sale. Many markets also include farm fresh eggs, home-grown plants and herbs, baked goods, and local crafts. Projects like the Southern Foodways Alliance and initiatives such as “Field to Table” and the “Slow Food Movement” have awakened us to the importance of “eating local” and buying food from people we know and trust. Buying at the farmers market not only keeps small family farms in business, it contributes to the strength of the local economy. Farmers markets are also fun, good places to pick up cooking tips, and great opportunities for teaching your children about healthy eating. The best way to get the most out of a farmers market is to visit with the vendors and ask questions about their products, including suggestions for cooking with them and keeping them fresh until you use them. Most vendors are proud of what they grow and glad to answer any questions you might have.
The Stone County Farmers Market in Mountain View is currently the only Certified Arkansas Farmers Market (CAFM) in the region. CAFM is a non-profit organization created by farmers for farmers; CAFM market managers work closely with the growers to guarantee a superior product. Only products grown in Arkansas can be sold at CAFM markets, further helping to guarantee freshness. The market is located in Centennial Bank Park at 121 Main Street. It operates on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. until noon from May through October and Wednesdays from 7:00 until 11:00 a.m. from mid-June through August.
The Stone County Market is open air market that offers a wide range of locally grown produce as well as a diverse selection of prepared food, non-food items, and handmade crafts. Local vendors and chefs conduct occasional food and cooking demonstrations. The market has an impressive and well-organized website, www.stonecountyfarmersmarket.com, which includes videos about many of the vendors, a slide show about the market, and links to the Southern Foodways Alliance and other valuable resources. Market customers can subscribe to the market’s email list and receive the Daily Market List, as well as other updates and announcements. For additional information contact executive director Beverly Dunaway at bevdunaway@gmail.com or 870-213-5785.
The White River Farmers Market in Batesville is located on Chaney Drive just a few hundred yards from the banks of the White River. The covered market is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. April to November. Locally grown produce includes tomatoes, peppers, squash, okra, lettuce, and spinach. Fresh herbs and potted plants are also available much of the time. Local grower Dan Guyette, a market regular, is an advocate of the “field to table” movement, “We should eat local and support our local farmers. But we have to get the support from the community to help get more organic farming started so there is enough local food available to consumers. Then we need to get local foods into the restaurants and grocery stores.” Until then, we have our farmers markets. For information about the White River Farmers Market, call Batesville City Hall at 698-2400.
The Newport Farmers Market takes place on Malcolm Avenue next to Newport Lake every Wednesday and Saturday from June through October. The market opens at 7:00 a.m. and remains open until vendors are sold out. Vendors may also be set up other days depending upon demand. The market features a variety of fresh produce such as tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, cantaloupe, watermelon, peppers, eggplant, and okra, as well as crafts and plants. All produce is grown in Arkansas. For information call Ann Hearn at 870-217-3514 or email piesrme@gmail.com.
Calico Rock has been holding a Farmers Market for five years at the junction of state highways 5 and 56. The market is sponsored and operated by the Calico Rock Organization for Revitalization Efforts (CORE). The April through October market is open every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. or until vendors have exhausted their inventory. Vendors may also set up on Wednesdays. The market features fresh garden produce; live chickens, ducks, and rabbits; plants and herbs; farm fresh eggs; homemade salsa; goat milk, cheese, and soap; and baked goods. For information contact market manager Rich Fischer at 870-297-3905 or richfischer@centurytel.net.
The Randolph County Farmers Market takes place at the Pocahontas Municipal Airport on Highway 67 South. If the recent flooding and subsequent clean-up permit, the market will open June 4th. Vendors are set up Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until they close and Tuesday through Friday from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. For information contact the Randolph County Chamber of Commerce at 870-892-3956 or chamber010@centurytel.net.
The new Spring River Farmers market is a collaborative project involving Hardy, Ash Flat, Highland, Cherokee Village, and Highland School. The school received a grant to build a green house and gardens; they also have a master gardener as an instructor. The results should be delicious. The market opens on Saturday, June 18 and will remain open as long as vendors continue to set up; hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It will be held in Cherokee Village at #2 Tekakwitha Drive, located between St. Michael’s Church and Pioneer Drive. Organizers promise fresh local vegetables and fruit, honey, homemade jams, and baked goods. For information call the Cherokee Village City Hall at 870-257-5522.
The Melbourne Farmers Market is held on Highway 69 beside the Arkansas State Highway Department. Vendors include Snider Farm, specializing in home-grown tomatoes, squash, peas, and peppers; Tate Brothers Farm, offering purple hull peas, peppers, squash, and cantaloupe; Sharp Farm featuring Farm Fresh Speckled Colored Eggs; and the Cohoon Farm, with a variety of home-grown vegetables including white squash, as well as bird houses and feeders for sale. Market vendors also sell homemade breads, cinnamon rolls, fruit pies, fresh eggs, Arkansas crystals and crystal jewelry, and hanging plants. The market is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:00 a.m. as items become available for sale. Look for the “Open Flag.” For information call 870-368-4293.
Probably the most unique farmers market in the region is the work of Vernon Borntreger. Vernon and his family are one of three Old Order Amish families who call Fulton County home. The Borntregers grow corn, squash, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, watermelons, cantaloupes, okra, purple hull peas, green beans, and pumpkins. Their produce stand is located in their house on Highway 395 South; turn left just past the Southfork Bridge. Handmade signs as you approach the Borntregers announce what is fresh that day. The family is ready to greet customers Monday through Saturday.
If you are planning to travel a significant distance to a farmers market, especially in early spring or late summer, be sure to call or email first to make sure it is open. Growers may exhaust their crops early, days and hours may have changed, and competing community events sometimes lead to a market cancellation. Bring your own cloth or paper bags and be prepared to pay cash.
First Lady Michelle Obama, an outspoken advocate for fresh, local-grown food, set the tone for a shift to healthier eating when she launched the new “By the White House” market in Washington. To quote the first lady, “This market is not just about food, it’s about our community, and this is just the beginning of the discussion.” We should all look forward to an ongoing national discussion that reshapes what and how we eat and restores the rightful place of the small family farmer. Let’s take back control over the food we eat and feed our families.
