Starkville Community Market organizers will launch their scaled-down Tuesday market this week, one month ahead of the formal start of the market season in May.
Tuesday’s market will run from 4-6 p.m. at Fire Station No. 1 Park, located at the intersection of Lampkin and Russell streets.
Jennifer Prather, the Partnership’s special events coordinator, said the decision to launch the truncated market early was made in an attempt to expose shoppers to fresh vegetables and fruit that are typically missing from events held later in the year. Approximately eight vendors are signed on for the first Tuesday event, she said, which is up from last year’s average of about five for the weekday offering. “Our mission is to create access to food for the community, and the market has always been very fluid with the growing season,” Prather said. “Broccoli, strawberries and so on – there’s always a vast selection we simply don’t get in May and June.”
The Partnership took over SCM management in 2013, and that year’s season was extended through August because of increased vendors and consumer demand. A Tuesday market was launched the next year to supplement the primary Saturday market because of the increased participation.While the Saturday market is the featured event, Prather said local shoppers have heavily supported the Tuesday offering.
“People are so excited for the start of market season, and I know the community is ready for Tuesday,” she said.
SCM moved to its Fire Station No. 1 home last year after operating at the open space on the corner of Lampkin and Jackson streets. Its new home on public property provided space to increase capacity and allow the Partnership to pursue grant funding for future investments. The area’s business owners supported the transition and penned letters of support to aldermen in which they offered their storefront parking spots for patrons.
Under Partnership guidance, SCM’s Saturday event has steadily increased its vendor and estimated shopper counts each year and averaged about $4,000 in business each week. It has also received statewide accolades, including Mississippi Magazine’s Best Farmer’s Market designation.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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