Greenwood Farmer's Market Promotes Healthy Lifestyle

Hal Fiore of "Three Guys Who Grow" sells a cornucopia of fresh vegetables at the Downtown Greenwood Farmer's Market. Courtesy photo.

GREENWOOD -- The Greenwood Farmer's Market continues to be a success for Greenwood-area residents who value freshness and quality at their kitchen table. Now in its second year, the Farmer's Market, which was spearheaded by Main Street Greenwood, Inc., will continue to be held every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until noon through October 31. The market takes place near the Columbus and Greenville Railroad at the intersection of Johnson and Main Streets.

The market was formed in the winter of 2007 by a small group of Greenwood citizens who liked the idea of a local market where area farmers could sell the fruits of their labor (pun intended). Assisted by grants from Blue Cross, MAC, and USDA, the market was able to open for business in Summer 2008. Tents and tables were purchased and the event was advertised across the Delta with these funds. In addition, there have been several fundraisers that have benefited the Greenwood Farmer's Market, including the Alluvian Harvest Ball last October, and a Viking Farm to Table dinner to be held this fall.

The Greenwood Farmer's Market would not have been the success that it is without the support of the community. "Greenwood is lucky to be home to many people who are passionate about the local food movement that is sweeping the nation," Main Street Executive Director Lise Foy said. She continued, "With Mississippi's high incidence of diabetes, obesity, and other health issues, our project offers a unique solution that not only encourages people to eat healthier, but supports local growers. It really is a win-win situation for the entire community."

The objective of the Farmer's Market is to create a community meeting place where every can come together to promote healthy lifestyles, provide farmers and back yard gardeners with a profitable location to sell their produce, plants, and other food items, and to build community pride in the downtown area. In those terms, the market has met its objective, but still seeks to expand their scope. The market averaged ten vendors per week the first year, and has increased to host as many as thirteen vendors each week in their second year.

Some of the vendors are regulars, including Hallie Streater, who brings peas, tomatoes, squash, and fresh eggs each week, and Bubba Fraiser, who sells fresh Gulf shrimp by the ounce or by the pound. Donald Bender supplies the market with his signature Mockingbird Bakery artisan breads and the Lay Sisters with their canned jellies and pickles. 3 Guys consists of Mike McClellan, Jamie Kornegay, and Hal Fiore, regularly ply the market with heirloom vegetables and fresh lettuce and Benny Blaylock is known for his great melons. Others offer products and services such as gardening tips, free range chicken to order, and homemade dog biscuits, all with an emphasis on sustainability.

Although your senses of smell and taste are the once most likely to be stimulated at the Greenwood Farmer's Market, you might find something pleasing to the ears if you decide to visit one Saturday morning. Each week, the Greenwood Farmer's Market plays host to some of the Delta's best local musicians as entertainment for the selective shopper. Musicians such as Cecil Ables, the Dillionaires, and bits and pieces of Curb Service, have all played on the makeshift stage in the parking lot behind Mallette Furniture. Each week offers up a different style of music, from blues and jazz, to rock and roll and acoustic guitar. "We have a lot of great musicians that play at the [Greenwood Farmer's] Market each week, which really transforms downtown into a fun place for families to spend their Saturday," Foy said.

And if that's not enough to bring you downtown on a Saturday morning, the market also offers plenty of activities for the kids, including the occasional face painting by Kelly and Jon Rayeski. In addition, the market offers the opportunity for young farmers to make a bit of spending money, as kids have set up shop selling sweet tea, lemonade, homemade brownies, and smoothies. So kids, if you are no longer entertained by cartoon marathons on your Saturday mornings, bring your best entrepreneurial spirit and tell those parents of yours that they can no longer use your allowance as bribery for making up your bed each morning.

With all that is going on at the Greenwood Farmer's Market, there are constantly opportunities for improvement. In the short run, the market hopes to increase the number of regular growers that sell their wares at the market and reach more shoppers and entice them to spend their grocery money locally, rather than at Walmart or some other grocery chain. Long term planning has focused on building a permanent structure for the market and to increase access to underprivileged segments of the population by expanding the Mississippi Farmer's Market Nutrition Program, which provides vouchers for people enrolled in the Senior Nutrition Program, providing a means for a health lifestyle, as well as additional sales for vendors.

With all that is occurring at the Greenwood Farmer's Market each week, it is no wonder that Main Street Greenwood takes pride in the project. "We are encouraged by what we have seen thus far and are looking forward to what this might become in the future, Foy stated. "With some time and increased support, the Greenwood Farmer's Market will become a fixture in downtown Greenwood, providing healthy options for Greenwood families for years to come."

For more information or to volunteer, call the offices of Main Street Greenwood at 662-453-7625 or online at http://www.mainstreetgreenwood.com/.