Main Streets Love Farmers Markets | Main Street America
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Farmers market collage
Pictured left to right: Flowers from Lee Family Garden at the farmers market in Siloam Springs, Arkansas (Photo Credit: Abby Trinidad, Siloam Springs Farmers Market Manager). Browsing the market in Murray, Kentucky (Photo courtesy of Murray Downtown Farmers Market). Fresh produce from Rainbow Produce in Siloam Springs, Arkansas (Photo Credit: Abby Trinidad, Siloam Springs Farmers Market Manager).

In honor of National Farmers Market Week, we asked our Main Street programs to tell us why they love their local farmers markets. We heard from organizations across the nation about the incredible impact their markets have had on community engagement, entrepreneur and small business support, and keeping their district vibrant. Today, we’re sharing a few of our favorite responses from programs around the Network. Check them out below!

Eastern Market | Washington, D.C.

Submitted by Charles McCaffrey, Eastern Market Main Street

Photo credit: Eastern Market Main Street

"Even in the best of times, getting fresh fruits and vegetables in an urban environment can be a challenge. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the farmers market at Eastern Market in Washington, D.C., served as both a lifeline and a symbol of hope for the Capitol Hill community."

Downtown Farmers Market | Murray, Kentucky

Submitted by Deana Wright, KCMM, Murray Main Street

"Kaliyah loves being at the market with her family and friends. We caught a quick shot of her hanging out in a truck full of corn!" Photo courtesy of Murray Main Street

"The Downtown Farmers Market in Murray, KY, is celebrating it’s 23rd year in downtown Murray. We love our market because it is a place where everyone can come and meet up with old friends, where they can purchase the freshest fruits and vegetables, and where they can be engaged in our historic downtown. The Downtown Farmers Market is open every Saturday from May to October and has an average of 3,000 people shop the market.

The Downtown Farmers Market takes one weekend in July and invites customers and vendors to ‘Squash Hunger’ and ‘Stuff the Truck for Need Line’ the local food bank. We collect over 300 pounds of fresh produce for our more needy community members.

Our lead vendor, Jay’s Pumpkin Patch, started growing and selling pumpkins when Jay was a little boy to help pay for his college. Now at 27 years old, Jay and his mother Melissa still sell pumpkins as a family tradition."

The City Center Farmers’ Market | Florence, South Carolina

Submitted by Rachel Baggett, Downtown Florence

Photo credit: Grayson Markle Photography

"Located in what was once a warehouse for the Atlantic Coastline Railway, the City Center Farmers’ Market offers a seasonal Tuesday market that provides access to locally-grown grocery staples and a year-round Saturday market that turns buying local into an experience for the Pee Dee community as they shop from and connect with local farmers, artisans, and food trucks in an unique setting.

The City of Florence renovated a former Atlantic Coastline Railway warehouse to create the location for the City Center Market. The space houses the City Center Farmers’ Market as well as a rentable commercial kitchen and three tenant spaces for small businesses. The red Quonset hut (pictured above) was part of the original warehouse and now houses vendors and shoppers during the Saturday markets and free community fitness classes during the Tuesday markets."

Downtown Mesquite Farmers Market | Mesquite, Texas

Submitted by Beverly Abell, Downtown Mesquite

Photo courtesy of Downtown Mesquite

"Our new Downtown Mesquite Farmers Market is part of the heart and soul of our downtown revitalization program. We’re only three years into our revitalization (and one of those being a pandemic year), and yet we’re so excited about the hope, energy, and life this market has already brought to our downtown, though it only opened on June 12, 2021.

The market is the first programming to occur at our newly-completed Front Street Station: a $5.5M infrastructure improvement project that also features a tailor-made market area (complete with built-in tent anchors!), performance pavilion, and so much more. In a downtown that, prior to this, had only a twice-a-month market, this powerhouse brings hundreds to the downtown area every single week. Between 20 and 30 vendors bring everything from produce to baked goods to laser-cut wood jewelry, tie-dye onesies for our little folks, honey-based beard balm, and a hometown hot sauce business called (seriously) Fxcking Hot Sauce…and their product sells like hot cakes! Live music, authentic food, and more complete this picture.

Already this market has also resulted in three vendors inquiring about permanent space in our downtown. Hurrah!

From new life, a new sense of pride, weekly traffic, and even new bricks-and-mortar businesses, we are incredibly proud of our Downtown Mesquite Farmers Market."

Lebanon City Market | Lebanon, Indiana

Submitted by Missy Krulik, The Heart of Lebanon

Photo courtesy of The Heart of Lebanon

"At the Lebanon City Market, we have a lot of fun! Each week the market has a new theme, and our vendors and patrons really join in. Whether it be visiting with clowns and wearing red noses for 'Clowning around at the Lebanon City Market' or showing off their patriotic colors when the 'Lebanon City Market goes Red, White, and Blue!', each week at the Lebanon City Market is new and exciting for everyone who attends."

Easton Farmers’ Market | Easton, Pennsylvania

Submitted by Kim Kmetz, Easton Main Street Initiative/Greater Easton Development Partnership

Photo courtesy of Easton Main Street Initiative/Greater Easton Development Partnership

For 269 years, Easton Farmers' Market has supported local farmers and producers in and around Easton, PA. The nation's oldest, continuous, open-air market has helped to bring the freshest local produce, pasture-raised meats, dairy, and baked goods to the community. But more than that, it's become the heart and soul of the neighborhood and provides a weekly gathering space for neighbors and friends. Volunteers are the backbone of this Market. The positive spirit and energy of our many volunteers is what keeps it thriving year after year, decade after decade.

We'll ring in National Farmers' Market Week with our annual Peach Day event to celebrate all the juicy goodness of summer. Join us 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 7 at Scott Park, Easton, PA.

Hopewell Farmers Market | Hopewell, Virginia

Submitted by Heather Lyne, The Hopewell Downtown Partnership

Photo courtesy The Hopewell Downtown Partnership

"We love the Hopewell Farmers Market because it's about building community; it's a welcoming, family-friendly, celebration of Hopewell and the region. We showcase local produce (fruits and veggies), honey and coffee as well as artisan products like crafts, candles, and leather goods. The market is an excellent mechanism for discovering and supporting entrepreneurs and for fueling partnerships and creativity."

Want to join in the celebration? Share why you love your farmers market on your Main Street’s social media channels and use #LoveMyMarket. Tag us for a chance to have your shout-out appear on our national accounts!

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