Whalechaser's Musings

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Saturday, April 5, 2008

The NEW Farmers' Market - Fayetteville, Arkansas

The Fayetteville Farmers' Market is an open-air, producers-only market that operates from 7am to 1pm around the Fayetteville downtown square on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from the first Saturday of April through the last Saturday before Thanksgiving. (It is open Saturdays only in November.) While garden fresh produce and plants are the mainstay, high quality crafts also abound. Recently, locally grown processed food items have been added the market.

Fayetteville Farmers' Market is operated by the Rural Mountain Producers Exchange, Inc. All produce, dairy products, meat and crafts originate in a four-county local area. The market features four markets per week in season and comprises more than 90 vendor/growers. The market hosts several events each year, including Salsa Fest, Ozarks Iron Chef and the Harvest Festival.

The powers that be have been working diligently to totally upgrade the plantings and the plant able spaces in and around the Square. They are not done yet but, clearly, when they are, the square will be a very special and unique place here in northwest Arkansas.

Today was opening day, and while the construction is not yet completed, the vendors were there in full force with a myriad of herbs, flowers, crafts and home-made jams. There were musicians on every corner and the weather was a cool and clear 41 degrees. All in all a great day for an opening.

Here are some shots I took as I made the 'rounds' around the square. Double click for larger images.






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